Ji Wuchang's eyes lit up the instant he heard this. To hesitate even a second longer would be disrespectful to both the system and himself!
"I will follow all your arrangements, Sect Master!"
Ji Wuchang cupped his fists as he spoke.
Meng Caihong glanced at Ji Wuchang with some concern but said nothing more.
Hearing Ji Wuchang's reply, Zhen Yaotian's eyes filled with appreciation. He then laughed heartily and said, "Good, good, good! Young people should have the courage to accept challenges!"
"Seventh Elder, go bring Li Jiwen here!"
Jing Fengcheng nodded and hurried away. In mere moments, he returned with a burly man. This man was none other than Li Jiwen.
Li Jiwen had a powerful physique. Even beneath his clothes, his muscles bulged, making it obvious at a glance that he practiced body refinement. His cultivation was at the late Peak of the Qi Refining Eighth Layer!
"Disciple Li Jiwen pays his respects to the Sect Master and the elders!"
Li Jiwen bowed, but his gaze turned toward Ji Wuchang, a trace of disdain appearing in his eyes.
Someone at the Qi Refining Realm Seventh Layer actually dared to challenge him. He would certainly teach him how to behave shortly.
Zhen Yaotian nodded, then said, "You both understand the situation. The winner will represent the sect in tomorrow's match against the Great Saber Pavilion!"
"I'll also offer a small prize. Whoever defeats the other today will receive ten mid-grade spirit stones from me!"
At the standard exchange rate, ten mid-grade spirit stones equaled a hundred low-grade spirit stones, but in practice, they were worth more than that-equivalent to a hundred and ten low-grade spirit stones!
Ji Wuchang had not expected such a windfall, and his eyes immediately lit up.
He was currently preparing to break through to the Qi Refining Tenth Layer. Although he had already set aside a Marrow-Washing and Meridian-Cleansing Pill, that alone was no guarantee.
With these ten mid-grade spirit stones, plus the hundred-odd low-grade spirit stones he already had, his chances would be better!
Everyone then headed straight outside the great hall, while Ji Wuchang and Li Jiwen took their places in the square!
The scene naturally attracted some attention, but with the Sect Master and the elders present, no one dared approach to watch. They only observed from afar.
Li Jiwen glanced at Ji Wuchang and grinned, then said, "Junior Brother, my fists hit hard. Even someone at the Peak of the Qi Refining Eighth Layer might not be able to withstand them."
"I think you should just admit defeat. It wouldn't be good if you got hurt later!"
Ji Wuchang watched Li Jiwen quietly, then a wicked smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Senior Brother Li, I wonder whether your fists are as powerful as your mouth!"
Li Jiwen's expression immediately darkened at those words. His presence then surged higher and higher, fully revealing the might of the late eighth level of Qi Refining!
As he fully revealed his cultivation, his body grew even more muscular, until he was almost twice Ji Wuchang's size!
"Python Bull Fist!"
Li Jiwen shouted, clenching his right fist. His muscles bulged one after another as he hurled a punch at Ji Wuchang.
As his fist shot out, a layer of unusual light covered it, accompanied by the roar of a python bull. Its momentum was extraordinary!
At the sight of this punch, all the elders present nodded slightly. Even someone at the Peak of the Qi Refining Eighth Layer would have to use their full strength to withstand it!
Ji Wuchang felt the wind from the punch howl toward him and inwardly nodded.
Before attaining Jade Bones, he would have needed to go all out and use the Thunder Explosion Fist to block it.
But now, this strength was far too weak for him!
Without the slightest hesitation, Ji Wuchang clenched his right fist and threw a punch without any flourish!
With a bang, the two fists, one large and one small, collided in midair. Ji Wuchang's expression remained unchanged, while pain appeared on Li Jiwen's face.
Just then, Ji Wuchang's body flickered, and he lunged straight into Li Jiwen's chest. Before his opponent could react, he drove his left fist straight into Li Jiwen's stomach with brutal force.
A scream rang out as Li Jiwen flew backward and slammed heavily into the ground several zhang away.
His right hand trembled incessantly, cold sweat poured down his face, and the pain left his features slightly contorted.
Zhen Yaotian and the elders all froze where they stood. Naturally, they had seen Ji Wuchang's attack perfectly clearly.
It was precisely because they had seen it clearly that they were shocked. Ji Wuchang had used nothing but the pure strength of his physical body!
Zhen Miaoqing's slightly tense body instantly relaxed.
Although Zhen Miaoqing had also favored Ji Wuchang's chances, she had never seen him fight, so she had not known exactly how strong he was in battle.
But at this moment, she understood. Ji Wuchang's combat strength was even greater than she had imagined.
Third Elder Meng Caihong also breathed a sigh of relief. She, too, was astonished, not knowing how Ji Wuchang possessed such a formidable physique!
As for Li Jiwen, no one was paying him any attention now.
Such was the cultivation world-pragmatic and cruel!
Zhen Yaotian laughed heartily and said, "Ji Wuchang, well done. Keep up the good work tomorrow!"
After speaking, Zhen Yaotian waved his hand, and ten mid-grade spirit stones appeared before Ji Wuchang.
Ji Wuchang stood on no ceremony and put away the ten mid-grade spirit stones, then cupped his fists. "Thank you, Sect Master!"
Zhen Yaotian nodded, then turned to Meng Caihong and said with a smile, "Third Elder, nurture him well. Perhaps our Longevity Sect will produce a head senior brother!"
Hearing this, Meng Caihong's face instantly blossomed into a radiant smile. "Rest assured, Sect Master. It wasn't easy for me to find such a promising seedling!"
The elders all glanced at Ji Wuchang. They knew perfectly well that the Sect Master would remember him.
If Ji Wuchang performed well tomorrow, the sect would certainly make his development a priority.
Ji Wuchang walked slowly to a spot near Zhen Miaoqing and solemnly cupped his fists. "Thank you, Eldest Senior Sister!"
Zhen Miaoqing's expression was calm as she said indifferently, "Fight well tomorrow. Don't embarrass me!"
Ji Wuchang hurriedly nodded at her words, inwardly unsure whether to laugh or cry. This eldest senior sister really did have a distinctive way of speaking!
Ji Wuchang returned to Little Bamboo Peak together with Meng Caihong.
"Wuchang, would you like me to teach you another combat technique so you can practice it tonight?"
Meng Caihong had been thinking about this throughout the journey, so she spoke as soon as they reached Little Bamboo Peak.
Ji Wuchang shook his head at her words, then said with a smile, "Master, I wouldn't be able to comprehend much in a single night."
"Besides, you only recently taught me the Jade Shattering Finger, and I haven't even reached the introductory stage yet. If I bite off too much, I won't be able to chew it!"
"As for tomorrow's match, you needn't worry, Master. As long as my opponent is in the Qi Refining Realm, I won't lose!"
Hearing Ji Wuchang's words, Meng Caihong nodded and abandoned the idea.
"Then get a good rest tonight, and fight without worry tomorrow!"
"It doesn't matter even if you lose. With me here, you won't miss out on any resources that should rightfully be yours in the future!"
"I'm at the Soul Splitting Realm now. I still have the ability to protect my own disciple!"