Seeing Chen Changqing accept the challenge, Zhang Hu grinned, a flicker of disdain flashing through his eyes.
"Junior Brother, draw your sword!"
In Zhang Hu's eyes, Chen Changqing was merely a disciple who guarded the mountain gate. How strong could he possibly be?
He prided himself on his Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivation.
Even within the Seven Courtyards, he had earned a modest reputation.
Why would he fear some obscure gatekeeping disciple?
Hearing Zhang Hu's words, Chen Changqing remained calm and loosely clenched his right hand.
The next moment, a pitch-black longsword with faint streams of light flickering across its blade appeared in his hand.
It was the high-grade magical artifact Shadow-Bearing Sword that Elder Liu Mu had bestowed upon him earlier.
"Hm?"
When Zhang Hu saw the Shadow-Bearing Sword in Chen Changqing's hand, his expression sank. He vaguely sensed that this sword was anything but ordinary.
Just then, Chen Changqing looked at him and said flatly:
"Senior Brother Zhang Hu. I'm afraid you won't be able to take this sword of mine."
At those words, Zhang Hu's eyes widened. So furious that he laughed instead, he burst out laughing: "Hahaha! Junior Brother Chen, aren't you being far too arrogant?"
"I'd like to see what ability you possess to dare spout such shameless boasts!"
With that, Zhang Hu assumed the bearing of an expert and waited for Chen Changqing to make his move.
In his view, if he wanted to defeat Chen Changqing, he had to do so beautifully.
That way, the Seven Courtyards disciples present could get a good look.
He, Zhang Hu, was also one of the outstanding talents of the Seven Courtyards. The qualification to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition had to be his!
Seeing Zhang Hu act this way, Chen Changqing gave a cold, faint laugh and did not stand on ceremony.
Immediately afterward, he flicked his wrist, and the Shadow-Bearing Sword in his hand suddenly slashed down.
Boom!
With his vast vital essence pouring into it, the Shadow-Bearing Sword erupted with incomparably brilliant Sword Qi as it cut out.
The Sword Qi was like a rainbow piercing the sun, sweeping forth in an instant with crushing force.
"What?"
Not far away, Zhang Hu's pupils contracted sharply at the sight, his face filled with terror and shock.
Chen Changqing's strike was simply too fierce and swift.
Before the Sword Qi even arrived, his entire body stiffened, and a chill ran down his spine.
Before Zhang Hu could react,
the Sword Qi Chen Changqing had unleashed had already blasted before him.
Panic-stricken, Zhang Hu hastily summoned his own low-grade magical artifact sword to block it.
Bang!
An ear-splitting sonic boom rang out.
Zhang Hu was sent flying outright, while the low-grade magical artifact in his hand was crushed to pieces by Chen Changqing's Sword Qi.
In less than a few breaths, he slammed heavily into the stone wall outside the training grounds. Without even letting out a cry of pain, he fainted on the spot.
At this sight, the entire venue fell deathly silent; one could hear a needle drop.
Every disciple of the Seven Courtyards stood dumbfounded, their faces full of disbelief.
It took them a long while to recover from their shock.
"What?"
"Am I seeing things?"
"He used only one sword strike?"
"Th-this is still the Qi Refining realm?"
"What terrifying Sword Qi!"
"Senior Brother Zhang Hu is at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, yet he couldn't withstand even one of his strikes?"
"How is that possible?"
"A gatekeeping disciple is actually this strong?"
"..."
The Seven Courtyards disciples all stared wide-eyed, their expressions filled with horror.
This result had come far too suddenly.
It felt as though Zhang Hu's challenge against Chen Changqing had ended before it had even begun.
On the high platform, the disciples chosen to participate in the Outer Courtyard Grand Competition also wore expressions of utter disbelief.
Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as her red lips parted: "Such powerful Sword Qi! His strength has already far surpassed the Qi Refining Seventh Layer."
Seeing this, Zhao Wuji's heart trembled as he muttered to himself: "Even I probably couldn't take that strike of his. His own strength is one factor, but that high-grade magical artifact also played no small part."
Elder Liu Mu and the two Seven Courtyards stewards were all struck with amazement.
Liu Mu in particular was deeply shaken.
"This child... truly is a monster! In merely a few months, his cultivation has actually broken through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer."
"He is only one step away from Foundation Establishment!"
Liu Mu sighed inwardly in amazement.
He clearly remembered taking Chen Changqing and the others to Green Creek Village on a mission several months ago.
At that time, Chen Changqing had only been at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
Who could have imagined that, in just a few short months, Chen Changqing would break through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer?
Moreover, with Liu Mu's discerning eye, he could naturally tell—
Chen Changqing had held back in that strike just now. Otherwise, Zhang Hu would not have merely fainted!
"It seems this old man's earlier investment in him was not misplaced!"
Liu Mu murmured softly, growing ever more satisfied with Chen Changqing and looking forward to his outstanding performance in the Outer Sect Grand Competition.
"Hm?"
Elsewhere, Qingyang's heart jolted as his gaze fixed tightly upon Chen Changqing.
"What a powerful strike."
"Could... could I take it?"
Qingyang could not quite judge. Although he had already reached the Foundation Establishment realm,
after Chen Changqing swung that sword just now, an inexplicable sense of wariness had arisen in his heart.
Ran Hua was utterly dumbstruck at the sight.
"Th-this is still the Senior Brother Chen I know?"
He muttered blankly.
Earlier, he had already been astonished when Elder Liu Mu chose Chen Changqing as one of the Seven Courtyards disciples to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition.
Now, the strength Chen Changqing displayed was even more terrifying.
Zhang Hu, at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, could not even block a single strike from him.
"Is Senior Brother Chen even human?"
At that thought, Ran Hua could not help but shudder.
While the entire venue was still in shock,
Chen Changqing sheathed his sword and stood tall, his gaze sweeping across the crowd as he spoke coldly:
"Are there any other senior or junior brothers who wish to offer guidance?"
"If not, may I have this qualification for the Seven Courtyards to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition?"
As Chen Changqing's words fell, the entire venue became silent as a grave.
Damn it!
One sword strike had suppressed Zhang Hu, who was at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.
With such strength, who would dare step forward to challenge him?
Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?
Especially those disciples who had clamored earlier about competing with Chen Changqing—all of them lowered their heads.
None dared meet Chen Changqing's gaze, afraid he might call them out at this moment.
After a long while, no one voiced any objection.
Chen Changqing then turned his eyes toward Elder Liu Mu on the platform.
When Liu Mu met Chen Changqing's gaze, he smiled in satisfaction, deeply gratified.
Then he took a deep breath and announced loudly:
"Since no one else will challenge Chen Changqing, the list of those from our Seven Courtyards participating in the Outer Sect Grand Competition is now set."
"In three days, this old man will personally lead you to the venue of the Outer Sect Grand Competition!"
"Dismissed!"
With a wave of Elder Liu Mu's hand, the Seven Courtyards disciples dispersed one after another.
After today's battle,
Chen Changqing's name had already been deeply branded into the hearts of the Seven Courtyards disciples.
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