If Rich, Don't Forget Me? Scions of Wealthy Families?

Watching the crowd disperse, Liu Ruyan glided down to land before Chen Changqing and Ran Hua.

"Junior Brother Chen."

"You are becoming increasingly difficult to fathom."

"In just a few months, your cultivation has progressed with astonishing speed."

"At this rate, I fear you are no less impressive than the monstrous geniuses of the Inner Sect."

Hearing Liu Ruyan's praise, Chen Changqing smiled faintly and replied, "Senior Sister Liu, you flatter me! I merely broke through by sheer luck."

Liu Ruyan smiled enchantingly, her interest in Chen Changqing growing deeper. "Three days from now, I shall see you there."

"I hope that in this upcoming Outer Sect Grand Competition, Junior Brother Chen can startle everyone with a brilliant performance and bring glory to our Seventh Courtyard."

With that, Liu Ruyan did not wait for a response and took to her sword, flying away.

Ran Hua stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at Chen Changqing. "Why do you tell everyone it was just luck?"

"Is there really such a thing as that much luck in this world?"

No one knew the speed of Chen Changqing's cultivation better than Ran Hua. Although he had joined the sect later than Chen Changqing, he had initially been a step ahead in their training. When Chen Changqing was still in the Qi Refining stage, he had already reached the late stage of Body Tempering.

However, later on, for reasons unknown, Chen Changqing's cultivation speed began to soar, advancing by leaps and bounds until he quickly surpassed Ran Hua. Whenever Ran Hua asked about it, Chen Changqing's answer was always that he had just been lucky enough to make a small breakthrough.

"How on earth does Senior Brother Chen cultivate?" he muttered to himself, truly unable to comprehend how Chen Changqing achieved such rapid growth.

Just as Ran Hua was lost in thought, Chen Changqing glanced at him. "Junior Brother Ran, are you not leaving yet? Do you intend to stay here and cultivate in the training grounds?"

Hearing this, Ran Hua snapped out of his reverie. Without further delay, the two left together, heading toward their living quarters.

"Senior Brother Chen, Senior Sister Liu is famous for being cold and aloof within the Seventh Courtyard. Yet, she seems so warm whenever she faces you. Could it be that she has taken a liking to you?"

Chen Changqing smiled indifferently. "Junior Brother Ran, instead of spending your time thinking about such nonsense, you would be better off putting more effort into your cultivation. Perhaps then you might be selected for the next Outer Sect Grand Competition."

Ran Hua looked embarrassed at these words and nodded quickly. "Senior Brother Chen is right to reprimand me."

Having seen Chen Changqing suppress Zhang Hu, who was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, with a single sword strike back at the training grounds, Ran Hua was filled with admiration. Furthermore, he knew that with Chen Changqing's strength, he was highly likely to be selected for the Inner Sect after participating in the Grand Competition.

Thinking of this, Ran Hua hurried to keep pace with Chen Changqing, excitedly buttering him up. "Senior Brother Chen! If you strike it rich, don't forget about me! Once you enter the Inner Sect, please don't forget your junior brother!"

"With my aptitude, I have no idea how long I'll be stuck in the Outer Sect. If I could receive a little care from you in the future, I would certainly have an easier time out here."

Hearing Ran Hua's words, Chen Changqing could not help but chuckle.

The Outer Sect Grand Competition had not even begun yet, but Ran Hua seemed already convinced that he would be able to enter the Inner Sect.

Beyond that, Chen Changqing was also very clear in his heart.

Securing a good ranking in the Outer Sect Grand Competition was not that simple.

Take Qingyang, for example; with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, he had only managed to reach the top twenty in the last Outer Sect Grand Competition.

Seeing that Chen Changqing did not speak, Ran Hua frowned slightly.

He wondered if his fawning and flattery had caused Chen Changqing some displeasure.

Just as he was preparing to say something else, a shout suddenly came from not far away:

"Junior Brother Chen!"

Hearing this, Chen Changqing and Ran Hua looked toward the sound in unison.

Focusing their eyes, they saw a figure slowly walking toward them.

Why is he here?

Chen Changqing frowned slightly, his gaze falling directly on that slender figure; who else could it be but Qingyang, the number one disciple of the Seven Courtyards?

Could he be here to give me a show of force?

As he sized him up, such a thought sprouted in Chen Changqing's mind.

In his view, he had previously stolen the spotlight in front of the Seven Courtyards' disciples.

As the leader among the Seven Courtyards' disciples, Qingyang might have come to suppress him.

Although he had this doubt in his heart, Chen Changqing's expression remained extremely polite as he cupped his hands toward Qingyang:

"Greetings, Senior Brother Qingyang."

Seeing this, Ran Hua hurriedly bowed to Qingyang as well.

Qingyang smiled faintly, his gaze deep as he looked at Chen Changqing, and praised:

"Junior Brother, you showed great prowess today!"

"In front of everyone in the Seven Courtyards, you suppressed Zhang Hu with a single sword strike."

"That kind of strength is something even I, as your senior brother, feel inferior to."

Seeing Qingyang being so polite, Chen Changqing said with a humble face:

"Senior Brother, you flatter me."

"I wonder what brings Senior Brother Qingyang to see me?"

Qingyang did not rush to answer Chen Changqing, his bright eyes fixed firmly upon him.

That sharp gaze seemed as if it wanted to see right through Chen Changqing.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly being scrutinized like this by Qingyang, Chen Changqing's expression gradually became solemn.

After a brief silence, Qingyang suddenly asked:

"Junior Brother Chen."

"I wonder which family you are a disciple of? Or which dynasty do you come from?"

In Qingyang's view, Chen Changqing must have an extraordinary background.

With such talent and strength, he might well be a descendant sent by some major power to train at Mount Shu.

"Ah?"

Chen Changqing was stunned, then shook his head and said:

"Senior Brother Qingyang is likely mistaken."

"I am just an ordinary person from a small place, not worth mentioning at all."

Upon hearing Chen Changqing's reply, a flash of surprise quickly crossed Qingyang's eyes, but he soon returned to his calm demeanor.

"Very well, since Junior Brother does not wish to say more, I will not ask further."

Having said this, Qingyang paused for a moment.

When he spoke again, his tone had suddenly become much more solemn.

"I hope Junior Brother will give your all in the Outer Sect disciple competition three days from now and win glory for our Seven Courtyards!"

Chen Changqing nodded and said with a smile:

"I will naturally do my best."

Afterward, Qingyang did not linger and turned to leave.

Watching Qingyang's receding back, Chen Changqing frowned and began to speculate to himself.

Did this Qingyang come to find me just to ask these things?

Was he testing me for something?

After a moment of thought, Chen Changqing let out a long sigh and put the matter out of his mind.

Time flowed like water.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

Early that morning, the summoning bell of the Seven Courtyards rang out once again.

Upon hearing the bell, Chen Changqing hurried toward the training grounds of the Seven Courtyards.

By the time he arrived at the scene, dozens of Seven Courtyards disciples had already assembled.

Elder Liu Mu stood at the very front. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he flicked his sleeves and declared:

"Follow me!"

With that, Elder Liu Mu took the lead, soaring away on his sword.

Seeing this, Liu Ruyan and the others promptly summoned their flying swords and gave chase.

"Swish! Swish!"

Chen Changqing was not slow either; stepping onto the Shadow-Bearing Sword, he took to the air. The wind whistled past his ears, and the mountains and rivers beneath his feet looked like a painting!