A Duel at the Limit, Evenly Matched?

Second Courtyard area.

Wen Liang recognized Chen Changqing at a single glance.

To think it's this brat.

He has some nerve, wanting to challenge a Foundation Establishment Late Stage body cultivator?

Wen Liang was secretly startled, finding it hard to believe.

After all, given Shi Tian's overwhelming strength, he had already given up on fighting for first place in the Grand Tournament himself.

He never expected that at this final juncture, Chen Changqing would step onto the stage.

Only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, I doubt he can even withstand one of Shi Tian's punches.

Wen Liang narrowed his eyes slightly, not optimistic about Chen Changqing's chances at all.

He felt the disparity in their strength was simply too vast.

"Damn it!!"

"It's this bastard!"

At the same time, Cui Hao nearby gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with venomous hatred as he stared at Chen Changqing.

Back in the Void Realm, he had led several Second Courtyard disciples to surround Liu Ruyan, intending to snatch all the points she had collected.

Who would have known that Chen Changqing would pop up at the critical moment?

Seeing that Chen Changqing only possessed the cultivation of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, Cui Hao had been completely dismissive.

However, after a brief exchange, he discovered that Chen Changqing's strength far exceeded his imagination.

Not only did he defeat Kong Ning, who was also at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, but he also shattered the Seven Kill Sword Formation that he had been directing with a single punch.

In the end, he even snatched all the points from their Identity Tokens.

It caused Cui Hao's ranking to drop out of the top twenty on the Points Leaderboard.

The more he thought about it, the more resentful Cui Hao felt.

After all, he had been firmly on track to enter the Inner Sect.

Now, because of Chen Changqing, he was forced to spend another year in the Outer Sect.

Fourth Courtyard area.

Meng Zhou also recognized Chen Changqing.

This kid?

Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivation?

Could it be because of the opportunity he obtained in the Void Realm earlier?

Meng Zhou muttered to himself. He remembered very clearly that back in the Void Realm, Chen Changqing only had the cultivation of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

Now that he had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, he naturally thought of the opportunity that had been intercepted.

After a moment of reflection, Meng Zhou snapped out of it and sighed helplessly:

"Even if he obtained an opportunity, so what?"

"Facing a Foundation Establishment Late Stage body cultivator like Shi Tian, he simply doesn't measure up!"

At the same time, Chen Changqing had already arrived on the White Jade Arena.

"Hmm?"

Shi Tian squinted at Chen Changqing and waved his hand, saying:

"Junior brother, you'd better head down!"

"I have no desire to bully you."

Chen Changqing smiled indifferently, cupping his hands in a salute:

"Please, senior brother."

Seeing that Chen Changqing was still determined to challenge him, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Shi Tian's eyes as he spoke in a low voice:

"Since you are determined to humiliate yourself!"

"Then don't blame me."

As soon as he finished speaking, a fierce light flashed in Shi Tian's eyes, and he thrust his right fist out violently!

"BOOM!"

With that one punch, the air exploded, crackling with a sharp, snapping sound.

Shi Tian was extremely confident.

He figured that this single punch would be enough to finish Chen Changqing off.

Meanwhile, the spectators all assumed that Chen Changqing would be blasted off the arena by Shi Tian's punch.

But at this moment, Chen Changqing gave a cold, light smile.

Facing the force of Shi Tian's fist, he had no intention of retreating or dodging, instead throwing a punch of his own in a direct counterattack.

"BOOM!!"

Within a few breaths, their fists collided.

"BANG..."

A violent shockwave exploded outward, and the surface of the arena cracked under the assault of their fist force.

The barrier protecting the perimeter of the arena trembled violently.

As their forces canceled each other out, both men took several steps back.

The disciples from various halls watching the match were stunned, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"Huh?"

"Did I see that right?"

"Chen Changqing actually... blocked Senior Brother Shi Tian's punch?"

"How is that possible?"

"How did he do it?"

"Am I seeing things?"

"..."

The disciples exclaimed repeatedly, unable to believe what they were seeing.

"What?"

After steadying his stance, Shi Tian's pupils constricted, and a tingling numbness surged through his arm.

Such terrifying power!!

He is only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, yet he can unleash such strength?

Shi Tian was secretly shocked, looking at Chen Changqing with utter disbelief.

This was the first time he had encountered an opponent among the outer disciples capable of trading blows with him head-on.

At the same time, Chen Changqing was also somewhat surprised.

Shi Tian's physical strength is truly extraordinary!

Chen Changqing marveled to himself.

He felt the power surging through his arms.

One had to know, he had broken through to the Qi Refining level only after reaching the limit of Body Refining.

Having ascended to the Foundation Establishment Realm in the Void Realm, his arms could unleash ten thousand catties of force; an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator could never block his punch.

Yet Shi Tian actually could!

Just as Chen Changqing was lost in thought, Shi Tian suddenly broke into wild laughter.

"Haha, good!"

"I never expected to encounter an opponent like you, Junior Brother."

"Finally, I can have a satisfying fight!"

As he spoke, the flames of battle burned in Shi Tian's eyes.

The next moment, he gathered his strength and lunged at Chen Changqing once more.

"Thunder Fist!"

Seeing this, Chen Changqing let out a low shout, his fist wreathed in purple lightning as he engaged Shi Tian directly.

"POW, POW, POW!"

For a time, deafening sounds of fists colliding echoed continuously across the arena.

Every one of Chen Changqing's strikes carried the roar of thunder.

Shi Tian, meanwhile, was like a wild, savage beast, his movements wide and powerful, each strike causing the air to crackle.

"BOOM! BOOM!"

The arena shook incessantly as violent spiritual energy swept across it.

Watching Chen Changqing and Shi Tian trade blow for blow, the disciples from the various halls were completely dumbfounded.

"Is this really a fight at the Foundation Establishment Realm?"

"Chen Changqing is a disciple at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, yet he can fight Shi Tian to a standstill?"

"How is it possible?"

"How did he do it? Shi Tian is a body cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage!"

"..."

The many disciples exclaimed in astonishment.

They had all assumed that Chen Changqing would be defeated and knocked off the stage the moment he failed to withstand Shi Tian's punch.

Who would have thought that upon clashing, Chen Changqing would erupt with terrifying strength, fighting Shi Tian to a standstill.

One had to realize that Chen Changqing was only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, while he was fighting against Shi Tian's Foundation Establishment Late Stage strength.

This made the situation even more mind-boggling.

Seeing this, the disciples of the First Courtyard all wore ugly expressions.

"Damn it!"

"What kind of background does this Chen Changqing have?"

"How can he achieve this when he's only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage?"

"Senior Brother Shi Tian is the number one person in our First Courtyard!"

"How can he be unable to take down a mere Chen Changqing?"

"..."

The First Courtyard disciples were filled with indignation.

In their eyes, Shi Tian had always crushed his opponents.

Yet now, he was fighting Chen Changqing to such a state.

On the other side, the disciples of the Seven Courtyards were in an uproar.

"Holy cow!"

"Junior Brother Chen... is actually this strong?"

"To be able to go head-to-head with Shi Tian, that's too impressive!"

"And he's only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage!"

"If he had the strength of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, wouldn't he be able to crush Shi Tian with ease?"

"..."

The disciples were incredibly excited; although they had all supported Chen Changqing going up to the stage to challenge Shi Tian earlier, deep down, they held no hope for him actually defeating Shi Tian.

But now, seeing Chen Changqing trading blows with Shi Tian, hope was instantly ignited in the hearts of the Seven Courtyards' disciples.