At this moment, inside the inner valley.
Qingyang and the other three were still locked in a standoff, all of them radiating sharp, formidable auras.
Everyone knew that the object below in the valley that shone with golden light was no ordinary thing. If they could obtain it, it might well be an immense stroke of fortune.
Amid the silence, someone was the first to speak.
"This item is mine, Li Yang's!"
The speaker was a young man in crimson robes. He stood with his hands behind his back atop a Flying Sword, his brows brimming with arrogance.
Li Yang stood tall and straight, with handsome features.
Golden flame patterns were embroidered upon his scarlet robe, and the Li Clan emblem could vaguely be seen at his cuffs.
He was a prodigy of the Outer Sect First Courtyard, possessing Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Beyond that, he was also a direct descendant of the renowned Li Clan within Mount Shu Sect.
Within Mount Shu Sect, quite a few great lineages sent their descendants here to train.
Earlier, when Liu Ruyan had seen Elder Liu Mu take particular care of Chen Changqing,
she had secretly wondered whether Chen Changqing might be from some great lineage.
Only afterward did she learn that Chen Changqing was merely a disciple guarding the mountain gate.
"Hmph!"
Hearing Li Yang's words, Qingyang could not help letting out a cold snort.
"Li Yang, what a grand mouth you have."
"You say you want it, and it becomes yours?"
"Treasure belongs to the capable!"
Qingyang's face was icy, and he refused to yield an inch.
Though Li Yang had an extraordinary background and Foundation Establishment cultivation, Qingyang had not been frightened into submission.
The reason he had not chosen to enter the Inner Sect earlier, instead remaining in the Outer Sect Seven Courtyards, was so that he could enter the Void Realm again.
Now that he had finally encountered a rare treasure coming into the world, how could he possibly hand it over on a silver platter?
"Hmm?"
At Qingyang's words, Li Yang's brows sank, and his expression turned extremely ugly.
Just as he was about to say something, Wen Liang of the Second Courtyard spoke first.
"Senior Brother Qingyang is right."
"Good things naturally belong to the capable."
"My Second Courtyard has taken a liking to this treasure as well."
Wen Liang wore orange robes. He was a Foundation Establishment disciple of the Second Courtyard, with a refined face and a pair of narrow eyes gleaming with shrewd light.
Though he appeared modest and gentle on the surface, he was in truth deeply calculating.
Many Second Courtyard disciples followed his lead, and no one dared underestimate him.
Just then, a sharp shout came from nearby.
"Why waste so many words?"
"Whoever snatches it gets it!"
The speaker was a brawny man, his muscles knotted like dragons. Beneath his yellow robe, savage scars could faintly be seen. He was clearly a ruthless figure.
He was Meng Zhou, a Foundation Establishment disciple of the Outer Sect Fourth Courtyard.
As Meng Zhou spoke, the atmosphere instantly became taut as drawn bows and unsheathed swords.
Qingyang's expression darkened as he understood clearly in his heart.
If he wanted to claim the treasure in the valley below today, a fierce battle between dragons and tigers would be unavoidable.
Yet none of the four made the first move.
They were no fools. Whoever struck first would naturally become the target of all, drawing the attention of the other three.
When the time came to fight over the treasure, that person would inevitably fall into a disadvantage.
That was precisely why the four of them had faced off in this valley for so long.
Boom!
Just then, the golden light below in the valley surged again, and a vast wave of spiritual energy swept outward.
At the sight, Qingyang and the other three could no longer hold themselves back.
"If we keep waiting, we'll surely attract even more people."
"The early bird gets the worm!"
A resolute gleam flashed through Qingyang's eyes. Gritting his teeth, he immediately rode his sword toward the valley below.
Almost at the same instant, Li Yang, Wen Liang, and Meng Zhou also made their moves.
Before the four even reached the valley below, they had already begun a fierce clash.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Bang bang...
In an instant, spiritual energy collided and shockwaves churned!
Four Foundation Establishment disciples fought fiercely, their might terrifying.
The disciples from the various courtyards guarding outside the valley were all alarmed, and none dared interfere!
At the same time.
Outside the valley, Chen Changqing's eyes heated up at the sight.
"They've started fighting."
"Anything capable of making four Foundation Establishment disciples fight over it must be no ordinary item!"
After thinking briefly, Chen Changqing turned to Liu Ruyan beside him and smiled.
"Senior Sister Liu."
"Take good care of yourself from here on."
In Chen Changqing's view, an opportunity like this was something one could encounter only by chance.
Now that he had run into it, how could he let it slip by?
Besides, over the past few days, he had already been walking the path of robbery. Who he robbed was all the same, wasn't it?
Hearing Chen Changqing's words, Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes narrowed.
"Junior Brother Chen, you... be careful."
She had originally intended to persuade Chen Changqing not to involve himself in this matter.
But on second thought, she felt she might be worrying too much.
Although Chen Changqing was only at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, when he had previously encountered Cui Hao and the others from the Second Courtyard,
he had shattered the Seven Kill Sword Formation all by himself.
Even Cui Hao, who possessed Foundation Establishment strength, had been no match for Chen Changqing and was directly suppressed by a single punch!
"Is Senior Sister worried about me?"
Chen Changqing smiled as he looked at Liu Ruyan.
"Ah?"
Caught off guard by Chen Changqing's flirtatious words, Liu Ruyan froze completely.
Before she could react, Chen Changqing flashed away, already riding his sword toward the valley.
Seeing this, Liu Ruyan let out a long breath and murmured,
"At a time like this, he still has the mood to... tease me?"
Not long afterward, Chen Changqing arrived outside the valley.
Seeing him, the disciples from the various courtyards guarding the area all acted as though facing a great enemy, warily looking toward Chen Changqing.
"Who are you?"
"You can't enter this valley. Go back where you came from!"
"Are you from the Seven Courtyards?"
"If you're only at Qi Refining, don't even think about getting involved here. Leave now!"
"If you know what's good for you, get lost! Otherwise, we'll take the points on you."
"..."
For a time, disciples from every courtyard shouted and clamored.
Though they could not concern themselves with what was happening inside the valley,
with so many of them guarding outside, there was naturally no way they would allow anyone below Foundation Establishment to enter.
"Oh?"
Chen Changqing was slightly surprised.
He had not expected his arrival to make the disciples from the various courtyards so tense.
"So many disciples, all at the Qi Refining level."
"Taken all together, that's another huge batch of points!"
After thinking briefly, Chen Changqing's eyes immediately burned with excitement.
While seizing the treasure, he could conveniently harvest a wave of points too. Why not?
"Hand over your points obediently."
"Then clear the way."
"Spare yourselves physical suffering!"
Chen Changqing said calmly.
The moment those words left his mouth, they drew mocking laughter from the disciples of the various courtyards.
"Haha!"
"Did I hear that right?"
"Did this kid get his head caught in a door?"
"You're only at Qi Refining. Who gave you the courage to speak such shameless nonsense?"
"You want to rob us of our points? I think you're courting death!"
"..."
Amid the ridicule, several disciples were already the first to attack Chen Changqing.
Facing the several disciples charging toward him, Chen Changqing remained as calm as drifting clouds and a light breeze.
Thunder Fist!
As they rushed forward, he did not hesitate, throwing a punch with a backhand strike.
Boom!
Terrifying fist force erupted abruptly. His fist was like thunder, instantly blasting several people away!
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