Before long, under Elder Liu Mu's guidance, Chen Changqing and the others arrived at the venue for the Outer Sect Grand Competition.
The vast plaza was already packed with quite a few Mount Shu Sect outer sect disciples.
Looking around, outer sect disciples could be seen everywhere in groups of three or five, leaning close together and discussing something in low voices.
Voices surged like a boiling cauldron; the place was exceptionally lively.
The arrival of the Seven Courtyards did not draw much attention. Instead, several mocking remarks rang especially harshly.
"Heh! The people from the Seven Courtyards are here."
"The weakest Outer Courtyard—even if they come, they're only here to make up the numbers."
"Every year in the Outer Sect Grand Competition, the Seven Courtyards always seem to come in last, right?"
"If I were a Seven Courtyards disciple, I'd be too embarrassed to show my face outside."
"This time, they'll probably become stepping stones for our other courtyards again."
"..."
Hearing the ridicule and mockery coming from all around them,
the Seven Courtyards disciples all wore ugly expressions, yet they had no power to refute it.
After all, among Mount Shu Sect's Seven Outer Courtyards, the Seven Courtyards truly ranked last in strength.
Precisely because of that, the cultivation resources allocated to the Seven Courtyards were also the fewest.
And that caused the Seven Courtyards to fall into a vicious cycle.
Without more resources to nurture gifted disciples, naturally no peerless talents could emerge from the courtyard.
Thus, they could not achieve good results in the Outer Sect Grand Competition either.
The cycle repeated itself, over and over, as though there would never be any hope in sight.
After hearing those taunts, Chen Changqing remained calm. His gaze swept across the whole area, and his heart was utterly still.
"Strength is the best answer!"
"If one does not possess formidable strength, one cannot earn the respect of others."
Elder Liu Mu's eyes remained as still as an ancient well upon hearing this.
Yet deep in his heart, ripples still stirred.
"In this year's Outer Sect Grand Competition, my Seven Courtyards absolutely cannot come in last again!"
Liu Mu sighed softly, his gaze sweeping over Qingyang and the other disciples participating in this competition.
At last, his gaze lingered on Chen Changqing for two more seconds.
"I wonder whether this kid will give me any surprises in the competition?"
Liu Mu narrowed his eyes slightly.
In his view, the strength of the other disciples was already set in stone.
Chen Changqing, on the other hand, was an unknown variable.
Perhaps he might shine brilliantly in this Outer Sect Disciple Competition.
Seeing Liu Mu looking at him, Chen Changqing gave him a faint smile.
Just then, the crowd in the plaza suddenly stirred restlessly.
"Look!"
"The people from the Second Courtyard are here!"
"..."
Hearing this, Chen Changqing and the others all looked over.
Focusing their eyes, they saw a group of disciples in orange robes striding through the air toward them.
A sharp, fierce aura radiated from every one of them.
The Second Courtyard was second only to the First Courtyard among the Seven Outer Courtyards.
Their disciples were generally powerful, making them favorites to win this competition!
Chen Changqing's gaze swept over the Second Courtyard disciples.
He could sense that several of their auras were exceptionally powerful, even no weaker than Qingyang's.
"The Second Courtyard disciples all seem very strong."
"They'll likely be formidable opponents in this competition."
Chen Changqing murmured softly.
Before long, under their own elder's lead, the Second Courtyard disciples descended into the plaza.
Seeing this, many disciples crowded forward to greet them warmly, their fawning attempts at currying favor impossible to miss.
That scene formed a stark contrast with the ridicule the Seven Courtyards had received upon arriving earlier.
Just then, the sky suddenly darkened.
Boom!
Immediately afterward, an immense, surging pressure descended in an instant.
Sensing that pressure, everyone raised their heads in unison.
At a glance, they saw another large group of figures flying through the sky on swords.
"The First Courtyard!"
"The First Courtyard has arrived."
"The strongest Outer Courtyard!"
"..."
The plaza immediately erupted after the newcomers appeared.
The First Courtyard disciples all wore crimson robes, each one looking proud and casting disdainful glances around them.
Especially those participating in this competition—their auras were powerful, and they were undoubtedly at the Foundation Establishment level.
"The First Courtyard's geniuses really are terrifying!"
"Just sensing those auras a little is enough to make one shudder."
"Several Foundation Establishment disciples!"
"Could they win first place in this Outer Courtyard Grand Competition again?"
"..."
Discussion filled the entire venue, and many disciples revealed looks of awe upon seeing the First Courtyard's people.
Chen Changqing frowned slightly at the sight.
"Whether it's the First Courtyard or the Second Courtyard, they both have several Foundation Establishment disciples."
"Among the ten people selected by our Seven Courtyards, only Senior Brother Qingyang has reached the Foundation Establishment Realm."
"This Outer Courtyard Grand Competition is bound to be a battle of dragons and tigers."
Chen Changqing muttered quietly.
Among the disciples from their Seven Courtyards participating in this competition,
Qingyang ranked first in realm, having already reached the Foundation Establishment level.
Next came Liu Ruyan, a disciple at the half-step Foundation Establishment Realm.
As for Chen Changqing and the rest, they were all around the eighth or ninth layer of Qi Refining.
Just as everyone was still shocked by the First Courtyard's arrival, a sudden change occurred in the sky.
Boom!
A thunderous roar rang out.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, a crack split open in the sky!
The next moment, a figure slowly stepped out of that rift, walking through the air.
He wore a black battle robe, his long hair unbound and wildly draped over his shoulders.
His eyes were terrifying as an abyss, with lightning faintly flickering into being and vanishing within them.
The instant he appeared, an incomparably terrifying pressure spread out from his body.
Under the force of his aura and pressure, everyone felt as though heaven were toppling and earth collapsing. The weaker disciples were pressed to the point that they nearly suffocated.
Chen Changqing's expression changed abruptly at the sight.
Naturally, he too felt the newcomer's terrifying aura and pressure.
"So... so strong!"
"Who is this person?"
"I'm afraid he's even stronger than Elder Liu Mu!"
Chen Changqing muttered inwardly, his expression incomparably grave.
At the same time, many outer sect disciples present cried out in astonishment:
"What?"
"I... I'm not seeing things, am I?"
"That's... the War Dome Peak Master, True Person Tianbo?"
"A Nascent Soul mighty expert! He actually came in person!"
"..."
Countless disciples sucked in cold breaths, their faces filled with shock.
Within Mount Shu Sect, there were inner and outer sects.
The outer sect had Seven Outer Courtyards, while the Inner Sect had Seven Peaks, namely:
Burning Heaven Peak, War Dome Peak, Mountain Suppressing Peak, Void Breaking Peak, Jade Void Peak, Azure Phoenix Peak, and Cloud Perch Peak.
True Person Tianbo was precisely the War Dome Peak Master, a Nascent Soul Realm mighty expert and a supreme powerhouse who had comprehended the great momentum of heaven and earth.
After True Person Tianbo appeared, his gaze flashed like lightning as it swept across the entire venue.
Merely meeting his icy gaze made everyone feel as though they had fallen into an ice cellar. Their bodies stiffened, and even breathing seemed to become difficult.
The might of a Nascent Soul was terrifying indeed!
After surveying the crowd, True Person Tianbo raised a hand and waved. An ancient token immediately appeared in his palm.
Without further delay, he directly cast the token into the void!
"Void Realm, open!"
Following True Person Tianbo's shout, the void abruptly underwent a change.
Rumble...
The token blossomed with dazzling light, and the surrounding void twisted.
Before long, a gateway slowly opened in the void, revealing a small world within.
Then True Person Tianbo's voice boomed like thunder as he announced:
"I will preside over this Outer Sect Grand Competition."
"The first round of the Outer Sect Grand Competition: enter the Void Realm and slay the Realm Heads."
"You have ten days."
"For every Realm Head slain, you will receive one point."
"The top twenty by points will advance to the next round."
Before you continue