The Arena

Crushing victory!

It could be called the most decisive and clean crushing victory of this Outer Court Grand Competition so far!

If one had even slightly zoned out, they might not have realized what had happened!

"Chen Yan, wins!"

Even the supervising disciple responsible for judging was stunned for a moment before announcing the outcome of the match.

Chen Yan slowly walked off the stage.

The voices in the crowd also changed dramatically.

"As expected of an Elder's Personal Disciple. I doubt many Inner Sect disciples in the Body Tempering Realm could achieve this level."

"Although Senior Brother Chen is only a cultivator in the Body Tempering Realm at seventeen, who can rule out the possibility of him being a late bloomer?"

"And is reaching the peak of the Body Tempering Realm at seventeen really that bad? Slow cultivation speed in the early stages can be caused by all sorts of factors..."

Words of praise immediately began to fill the air among the crowd.

However, Chen Yan paid them no mind, because he knew that if he had lost, these praises and boasts would have instantly turned into mockery and curses.

Who wouldn't want to see a high-and-mighty figure like an Elder's Personal Disciple make a fool of themselves?

Human nature is schadenfreude.

Of course, when you are in power, they don't mind flattering and currying favor with you.

This was a truth Chen Yan understood even before he transmigrated to this cultivation world.

After defeating that Outer Court Disciple named Zhao Wei, Chen Yan walked towards the viewing platform.

As he passed by Elder Lan Wei, he smiled and nodded slightly at him, appearing calm and composed.

Elder Lan Wei had undoubtedly watched Chen Yan's match, but he said nothing.

He indeed had nothing to say.

Because in the eyes of the Inner Sect Elders, defeating an ordinary Outer Court Disciple of the same realm in one move should be something any Inner Sect disciple could do.

Instead, Chen Yan's own Master, Lin Qifeng, seemed somewhat surprised by his performance.

Lin Qifeng had never invested any effort in Chen Yan.

He had taken Chen Yan as a disciple purely on a whim.

Lin Qifeng only needed Chen Yan to be a good messenger for him and not embarrass him when he needed to make a public appearance.

That was all.

But Chen Yan's performance had clearly exceeded Lin Qifeng's expectations.

Because in his eyes, Chen Yan was just an ordinary Outer Court Disciple with average or even below-average talent.

Even with the long-term use of Body Tempering Fluid, such a drastic improvement should not have been possible.

"How did you do it?"

After Chen Yan returned to Lin Qifeng's side, he asked.

"This disciple does not know what Master is referring to."

Chen Yan bowed.

"Heh."

Lin Qifeng merely let out a dismissive laugh and didn't press further.

He knew Chen Yan was playing dumb, of course, but Lin Qifeng also disdained to expose such petty tricks.

Could he possibly cause any real trouble?

The Outer Court Grand Competition continued.

The first round of the Xuan group consisted of a total of sixteen matches, with thirty-two contestants.

Afterward, the draw for the second round of matches would begin.

Chen Yan's second-round match was the third one, and his opponent was Li Fu.

As soon as this draw result was announced, the entire venue erupted in an uproar.

Because Li Fu was the burly man who wielded the giant axe. Like Chen Yan, he was considered an overwhelmingly powerful presence in the Xuan group. After the first round of matches concluded, these two were already considered the only two disciples in the Xuan group who could advance to the top sixteen.

But no one expected Chen Yan and Li Fu to meet in the second round.

This meant that one of them would inevitably be eliminated in this round.

And when this result was announced, the most fervent reaction in the Training Ground came from the southeast corner of the viewing platform.

"Place your bets! Place your bets!"

A disciple who looked rather roguish weaved through the crowd. His right hand was missing its thumb, having been severed with a knife many years ago when he was caught cheating at a gambling den.

After that, the disciple swore he would never gamble again, but the result was...

"Elder Lin's personal disciple, Chen Yan, versus the axe wielder Li Fu! Bets are placed, and the current odds for Chen Yan are three to one, while Li Fu's are one point four to one!"

A dog can't change its nature, and neither can a gambler.

"How can Senior Brother Chen's odds be so high?"

"I can only say that most people are more optimistic about Li Fu."

"Are you crazy? Senior Brother Chen is Elder Lin's personal disciple, how can he not have some trump cards? What does Li Fu have to fight Senior Brother Chen with?"

"Perhaps Chen Yan winning the first round had some luck and his opponent was too weak, but Li Fu's visual impact is undeniable. It's normal for most people to be more optimistic about Li Fu."

"You're talking nonsense, how could that brute possibly be Senior Brother Chen's opponent."

"Fellow Daoist, how much did you bet?"

"Fifteen spirit stones, all on Senior Brother Chen, what's it to you?"

"No wonder you're so devoted to Chen Yan, calling him Senior Brother like this. If he really wins the second round, you'll have to call him 'Dad'..."

"I'll f*** your mother!"

"Hey, stop fighting, stop fighting!"

The southeast corner of the viewing platform descended into chaos, and soon, disciples from the Law Enforcement Hall went to quell the disturbance.

The Grand Competition was still underway. In the next match of the Xuan group, it was Chen Yan's turn to appear.

At this moment, he was waiting below the stage, watching two Outer Court Disciples spar on the stage. It was a stalemate.

It was a tug-of-war, and it might not be decided anytime soon.

"The skill Senior Brother Chen just displayed was truly eye-opening."

A voice he was quite familiar with came from behind Chen Yan.

He turned his head slightly to look behind him. Standing there was a young man with a smile on his face.

It was Sun Lu.

"You flatter me,"

Chen Yan said calmly.

"Just now, on the viewing platform, they were setting the odds for this match between Senior Brother Chen and Li Fu."

Sun Lu said:

"I bet fifty spirit stones on Senior Brother Chen. I hope Senior Brother Chen doesn't make me lose all my money. After this is over, I will surely reward you handsomely."

Chen Yan did not respond to this.

"By the way, I have something I want to ask you."

Chen Yan said.

"Senior Brother Chen, please speak."

Sun Lu said.

"I heard that something major happened in Shang Gong Hall a few days ago."

Chen Yan said.

"Yes, Senior Brother Chen, I know a little about this matter as well."

Sun Lu said.

Song Mingde's death was not widely publicized. In fact, even now, the vast majority of Outer Court Disciples only thought that Steward Song had gone down the mountain on official business and had not yet returned.

Shang Gong Hall was currently temporarily managed by the former ceremonial official of Shang Gong Hall, who was acting as the steward.

"What was the relationship between the ceremonial official of Shang Gong Hall and Steward Song?"

Chen Yan continued to ask.

"I might not be very clear about the interpersonal relationships within Shang Gong Hall."

Sun Lu said, then paused for a moment:

"However, my master's relationship with Ceremonial Official Zhao is quite good, and I am also somewhat acquainted with Ceremonial Official Zhao. I wonder what Senior Brother Chen wants to know?"