One Sword Suppresses, All Fall Silent!

Seeing Chen Changqing accept the challenge, Zhang Hu grinned, a flicker of contempt flashing in his eyes.

"Junior Brother, draw your sword!"

In Zhang Hu's view, Chen Changqing was merely a disciple who guarded the mountain gate; how strong could he possibly be?

He relied on his cultivation at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Within these Seven Courtyards, he was considered somewhat famous.

How could he fear an unknown closed-door disciple?

Hearing what Zhang Hu said, Chen Changqing's expression remained calm as he made a grasping motion with his right hand.

The next moment, a long sword with a pitch-black body and faint, shimmering light flowing across its blade appeared in his hand.

It was none other than the high-grade magical artifact, the Shadow-Bearing Sword, which Elder Liu Mu had bestowed upon him earlier.

"Hm?"

Upon seeing the Shadow-Bearing Sword in Chen Changqing's hand, Zhang Hu's face sank, as he vaguely sensed the extraordinary nature of the blade.

Just then, Chen Changqing looked toward him and said indifferently:

"Senior Brother Zhang Hu."

"I am afraid you cannot withstand this strike of mine."

As these words left his lips, Zhang Hu's eyes widened, and he laughed in extreme anger:

"Hahaha!"

"Junior Brother Chen, aren't you being a bit too arrogant?"

"I would like to see what kind of ability you have to dare speak such boastful words!"

Having said that, Zhang Hu struck a pose of a master, waiting quietly for Chen Changqing to make his move.

In his opinion, if he wanted to defeat Chen Changqing, he had to do it beautifully.

It would let the disciples of the Seven Courtyards present see clearly.

He, Zhang Hu, was one of the top talents of the Seven Courtyards; the spot to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition belonged to him, and no one else!

Seeing Zhang Hu's posture, Chen Changqing gave a cold, light smile and did not stand on ceremony.

Immediately following, he flipped his wrist, and the Shadow-Bearing Sword held in his hand slashed out in a flash.

"Boom!"

With vast essence injected into it, the Shadow-Bearing Sword unleashed a strike that instantly erupted with incomparably brilliant Sword Qi.

The Sword Qi, like a rainbow piercing the sun, surged forth with overwhelming force.

"This?"

Not far away, upon seeing this scene, Zhang Hu's pupils constricted, his face filled with terror and shock.

The truth was, the momentum of Chen Changqing's strike was far too fierce.

Before the Sword Qi even arrived, his entire body stiffened, and he began to tremble with dread.

Before Zhang Hu could even react, the Sword Qi slashed out by Chen Changqing had already slammed down in front of him.

Seeing this, Zhang Hu scrambled in a panic to deploy his own low-grade magical longsword to block it.

"Bang!"

Accompanied by a deafening sonic boom that echoed through the air, Zhang Hu was sent flying backward, and the low-grade magical artifact in his hand was instantly crushed by Chen Changqing's Sword Qi.

Within a few breaths, he slammed heavily into the stone wall outside the training grounds, and without even letting out a cry of pain, he fainted on the spot.

Seeing this scene, the entire arena fell into a deathly silence, so quiet that a needle drop could be heard.

All the disciples of the Seven Courtyards were dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief.

After being shocked for a long while, the crowd finally began to come to their senses.

"This?"

"Did I see that correctly?"

"He only used one strike?"

"Is... is this still the Qi Refining level?"

"What terrifying Sword Qi!"

"Senior Brother Zhang Hu is at the seventh level of Qi Refining, yet he couldn't withstand a single strike from him?"

"How is that possible?"

"A closed-door disciple is actually this strong?"

The disciples of the Seven Courtyards all widened their eyes, their expressions filled with shock.

Such a result had come far too suddenly.

To everyone, it felt as though Zhang Hu's challenge against Chen Changqing had ended before it had even begun.

On the high platform, the disciples selected to participate in the Outer Courtyard Grand Competition also wore looks of disbelief.

Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her red lips parting:

"Such powerful Sword Qi!"

"His strength has already far surpassed the seventh level of Qi Refining."

Seeing this, Zhao Wuji felt a jolt in his heart and muttered to himself:

"Even I fear I could not withstand that strike of his."

"His own strength is one thing, but that high-grade magical artifact also accounts for a great deal."

Elder Liu Mu and the two deacons of the Seven Courtyards felt shock flash through their eyes as they witnessed this.

Elder Liu Mu, in particular, was deeply moved.

"This child... he is truly a monster!"

"It has only been a few months, yet his cultivation has actually broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining."

"He is only a single step away from Foundation Establishment!"

Elder Liu Mu marveled inwardly.

He clearly remembered that a few months ago, he had led Chen Changqing and the others on a mission to Green Creek Village.

At that time, Chen Changqing's cultivation had only been at the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Who would have thought that in these short few months, Chen Changqing would have broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining?

Moreover, with Elder Liu Mu's keen eye, he naturally discerned the truth.

Chen Changqing had held back with that strike; otherwise, Zhang Hu's fate would have been far worse than merely fainting.

"It seems my previous investment in him was not wrong at all!"

Elder Liu Mu said softly, becoming increasingly satisfied with Chen Changqing and looking forward to an outstanding performance from him in the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

"Hm?"

On the other side, Qingyang was shaken, his gaze locked firmly onto Chen Changqing.

"What a powerful strike."

"Could... could I withstand it?"

Qingyang was uncertain, even though he had already reached the Foundation Establishment realm.

Yet, after seeing Chen Changqing swing that sword, a sense of trepidation had inexplicably sprouted in his heart.

Ran Hua was left dumbstruck at the sight.

"Is... is this still the Senior Brother Chen I know?"

He muttered in a daze.

He had already been astonished when Chen Changqing was selected by Elder Liu Mu to be one of the Seven Courtyards' disciples for the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

Now, the strength Chen Changqing had displayed was even more terrifying.

Zhang Hu, at the seventh level of Qi Refining, could not even block a single strike from him.

"Is Senior Brother Chen even human?"

Thinking of this, Ran Hua couldn't help but shudder.

Just as the entire crowd was in shock, Chen Changqing sheathed his sword and stood tall, his gaze sweeping across the arena as he spoke coldly:

"Are there any other brothers who wish to offer their guidance?"

"If not, can I have this spot for the Seven Courtyards to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition?"

As Chen Changqing's words fell, the entire arena fell into a deathly silence.

Damn it!

He had suppressed Zhang Hu, a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator, with a single strike.

With such strength, who would dare step forward to challenge him?

Wasn't that just asking for a beating?

In particular, those disciples who had previously clamored to compete with Chen Changqing now lowered their heads one after another.

They dared not meet Chen Changqing's gaze, fearing they might be singled out by him at this moment.

For a long while, no one raised an objection.

At this moment, Chen Changqing turned his gaze toward Elder Liu Mu on the platform.

Upon receiving Chen Changqing's look, Elder Liu Mu smiled with satisfaction, looking quite gratified.

Following this, he took a deep breath and announced in a loud voice:

"Since no one else is going to challenge Chen Changqing."

"Then the roster for our Seven Courtyards to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition is now finalized."

"Three days from now, this old man will personally lead you all to the venue of the Outer Sect Grand Competition!"

"Everyone, disperse!"

As Elder Liu Mu waved his hand, the disciples of the Seven Courtyards scattered one after another.

After today's battle.

Chen Changqing's name had been deeply branded into the hearts of the Seven Courtyards' disciples.