While the Foundation Establishment cultivators taking part in the tournament wailed in dismay, the Core Formation elders present also widened their eyes.
Several of the weaker Core Formation elders realized, with some embarrassment, that even if they entered the arena themselves, they probably could not remain as composed as Xu Changxing.
After sweeping their complicated gazes back and forth between the two contestants for a while, these elders finally settled their eyes on Liu Chenyu.
Among the Core Formation elders, Liu Chenyu's cultivation at the Core Formation middle stage was not particularly outstanding.
He had only managed to flourish in the Setting Sun Sect because he had taken a disciple named Li Changge.
After just over a decade of cultivation, Li Changge had formed a first-grade Golden Core. His swordsmanship had reached such transcendent heights that he could nearly match some Nascent Soul elders who were less skilled in combat.
Now almost everyone believed that before long, Li Changge would form his Nascent Soul and become the Setting Sun Sect's sword god of his generation.
The other Core Formation elders had often envied Liu Chenyu over this.
Never in their wildest dreams had they expected that, before Li Changge even broke through, this old fellow would take in another disciple like Xu Changxing.
Although Xu Changxing had only just reached Foundation Establishment, his peerless sword intent already showed faint traces of Li Changge's former brilliance.
Given a few years, he might well become another Li Changge.
When the time came, Li Changge and Xu Changxing would form their Nascent Souls one after the other, while their master, Liu Chenyu, might still be an ordinary Core Formation elder.
If that really happens, let's see where he hides that old face of his!
Liu Chenyu had long since sensed the gazes of the other Core Formation elders.
His expression remained as calm as still water, but towering waves had already surged through his heart.
He had never expected Xu Changxing to possess not only peerless sword intent, but such a profound foundation as well.
Drawing talismans with a single hand was enough for him to hold off that sky-filling rain of talismans for a moment. This was absolutely beyond an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator-only someone who had established his foundation with seven cloud patterns could do it!
Could I have been wrong before?
Had this child actually condensed seven cloud patterns in secret before establishing his foundation?
But I only gave him the Cloudglow Reflecting Immortal Art a few days before he reached Foundation Establishment!
Where on earth did such a profound foundation spring from?
While everyone was still reeling in astonishment, Xu Changxing had already driven Han Mingguan into a corner with his flying sword alone.
Though Han Mingguan scattered talismans as if they cost nothing, he simply could not stop that emerald streak of sword light.
When he reached for a Dragon-Locking Talisman for the fifth time, his hand finally came up empty.
In the instant he froze, the Greenwood Sword cut straight through his defenses and came to rest against his shoulder.
"Xu Changxing of Flying Stream Peak wins!"
The Core Formation elder officiating in the arena froze for a moment before announcing those words in a somewhat complicated tone.
Only then did Liu Chenyu finally lose control of the smile tugging at his lips.
Even now, he had no idea how his youngest disciple had suddenly become so formidable.
But he could think about that later.
What mattered most right now was that his disciple had won!
Liu Chenyu slowly turned toward Elder Li, who had provoked him earlier, and said:
"Old Li, my disciple won this match.
"When are you delivering your stake?"
Elder Li's expression stiffened as he said:
"What's the hurry? Our wager was on whether your youngest disciple could get through the fifth round.
"This was only the first round. I haven't lost yet."
This time, before Liu Chenyu could speak, someone beside him chimed in on his behalf:
"Old Li, stop putting up a brave front.
"Old Liu's youngest disciple even beat Han Mingguan. How many of the remaining contestants could beat him?
"You'd better get your stake ready early, before someone blocks your doorway to collect it."
Elder Li's face alternated between green and white. "How am I putting up a brave front?
"Xu Changxing did win, but Han Mingguan was no pushover.
"What if the boy exhausted himself in that fight and can't condense his true essence in the next match?
"It's not as though that's never happened before."
"Heh, I don't know whether Old Liu's third disciple exhausted himself.
"But I do know that from the start of the match to the finish, that boy stood in the same spot without moving a single step.
"Old Li, were you so shaken just now that you didn't even notice that?"
Elder Li froze at these words, then hurriedly recalled the entire course of the battle.
A moment later, his mouth had fallen slightly open without his realizing it.
He discovered that the man was right. From beginning to end, Xu Changxing really had not moved a single step.
Facing Han Mingguan's sky-filling rain of talismans, he had actually weathered it head-on through the sheer depth of his foundation.
Elder Li remained stunned for quite a while before murmuring:
"This... this boy is a monster.
"Uncle-Master Pei's final disciple suffered a crushing defeat this time. Surely it won't leave a knot in his heart?"
His words immediately gave the other elders pause.
After exchanging glances, they all looked toward Pei Yong'an on the distant raised platform.
Pei Yong'an's expression was unchanged, but his eyes remained fixed, unblinking, on the distant arena.
One particularly observant Core Formation elder keenly noticed that Pei Yong'an's lips were moving slightly, as though he were transmitting his voice into the distance.
They instinctively looked toward the arena and, sure enough, saw that Han Mingguan seemed to be listening to something, occasionally nodding gently.
Seeing this, a Core Formation elder beside Liu Chenyu could not help saying:
"Old Liu, it seems this battle dealt quite a blow to Uncle-Master Pei's final disciple.
"Your disciple has really stolen the limelight this time.
"From today onward, your Flying Stream Peak has two prodigies on a single peak."
The curve of Liu Chenyu's lips grew a little more pronounced despite himself.
He fought back the urge to laugh aloud and shook his head. "The tournament isn't over yet. It's still too early to say such things."
The old man snorted. "Go on, keep pretending. As if I don't know what you're like.
"You must be blooming with joy inside right now.
"Could you tell me what trick you use when taking disciples?
"How did you manage to find two prodigies among just three disciples?"
Liu Chenyu gave him a faint, enigmatic smile. "Next time you take disciples, look for more people with 'Chang' in their names."
The old man blinked in surprise. "Are you serious?"
Liu Chenyu smiled without answering.
While these Core Formation elders were busy discussing the matter, the second match between Foundation Establishment disciples had already begun.
Yet compared with the spectacular first contest, the second match seemed far too ordinary.
More than half the Core Formation elders were not paying attention to it.
Even the referee in the arena let his mind wander from time to time.
This subdued atmosphere persisted until the disciple of another Nascent Soul patriarch entered the arena.
The young man was named Ye Hong. Wielding a Flowing Cloud Flying Shuttle whose speed almost rivaled a flying sword's, he sent his opponent flying with a single move.
That alone would not have been enough to revive the atmosphere.
What truly caused a stir was that, after defeating his opponent, Ye Hong pointed his Flying Shuttle toward Xu Changxing outside the arena and called out:
"I originally thought this tournament would only be a contest between Han Mingguan and me.
"I never expected a sword cultivator like you to appear.
"I've long heard that Li Changge swept through many Core Formation elders with his flying sword.
"Unfortunately, I joined the sect too late and never had the chance to fight him.
"I never expected Flying Stream Peak to produce a Xu Changxing as well.
"Tomorrow's first match-you and I will fight here!"
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