Chen Yuan wins!
“In my opinion, Chu Yong may not be Chen Yuan's opponent,” Zheng Tiancheng said slowly.
Wei Lan was stunned. “Chen Yuan only joined the sect half a month ago. How can you tell?”
Zheng Tiancheng remained silent. He was a Nascent Soul True Lord, and his Qi Observation Technique had reached Major Achievement.
With a single glance, he saw through Chen Yuan's Realm: Golden Core Eighth Layer Early Stage.
Although Chu Yong was at the Eighth Level Late Stage, Chen Yuan's internal Aura was far more profound. It was still unknown who was truly stronger.
However, what did any of this have to do with him?
His opponents were the other Nascent Soul Direct Disciples. In his eyes, Chen Yuan was currently no different from an ant, so why waste time paying attention?
Seeing Zheng Tiancheng keep quiet, Wei Lan was tactful enough not to press the issue.
At the Tianqing Peak seats,
Chu Yong wore a black tight suit. He was nine feet tall, with a square face, large ears, a swallow jaw, tiger whiskers, and a robust physique.
He leaped onto the Dao Discussion Platform. His burly body slammed onto the surface with a sound like thunder and an Aura like a galloping horse.
Chen Yuan had a well-proportioned figure. In comparison, Chu Yong resembled an iron tower.
Seeing the two ascend the stage, the Elder presiding over the Grand Competition stroked his beard and said with a chuckle:
“Two little fellows, stop before serious harm occurs on the Dao Discussion Platform. Do not hurt the harmony between you.”
Chen Yuan and Chu Yong respectfully clasped their fists. “Yes!”
“Very well, I announce that the Grand Competition officially begins.” The presiding Elder waved his hand and leaped off the Dao Discussion Platform.
In the arena,
Chu Yong cupped his fists. A flash of light appeared on his fingertips, and the Short-Handled Twin Hammers dropped into his grasp.
His eyes held a hint of contempt as he warned:
“Junior Brother Chen, you had better leave on your own, or if I smash down with this hammer, you might be lying in bed for half a month.”
After speaking, his Golden Core Eighth Layer Aura pressed toward Chen Yuan like a tide.
Chen Yuan stood firm, his eyes as still as water. An ancient zither floated before his chest. He said faintly, “Less nonsense. Let’s begin!”
Chu Yong shook his head. “You are stubborn and unrepentant!”
As the words fell, Chu Yong shot out like an arrow leaving the bow. The Cloud Treading Steps lit up beneath his feet, making him as light as a swallow, and he arrived instantly before Chen Yuan.
“So fast!”
The surrounding Direct Disciples were astonished. They had assumed that Chu Yong, who resembled an iron tower, would be weak in speed, yet he was proficient in a Profound Rank Movement Technique.
Contempt flashed in Chu Yong’s eyes, and he smashed the twin hammers down heavily!
Everyone held their breath, and the timid ones closed their eyes, afraid to watch.
“Boom!”
A thunderous explosion erupted where the twin hammers struck the ground.
Chu Yong's expression changed. When he turned around, he saw Chen Yuan had already leaped dozens of meters into the air. Spiritual Qi condensed on his fingertips, tracing across the strings, causing the heavenly feather zither to vibrate incessantly.
Three thousand Spiritual Qi Sword Lights suddenly shot forth, dense and numerous, like rows of sword rain!
The surrounding Cultivators were instantly shocked and stood up.
“Golden Core Eighth Layer! This boy is also Golden Core Eighth Layer! How is this possible?”
In the arena, Chu Yong crossed his twin hammers in front of his chest to block.
“Clang, clang, clang...”
The dense sword rain numbed his hands and forced him to stagger backward.
Retreating until he reached the edge of the Dao Discussion Platform, Chu Yong had no choice but to use his trump card.
His Aura suddenly changed—Golden Core Ninth Level!
Seeing this, the Cultivators exclaimed in shock:
“Heavens! Chu Yong actually concealed his strength!”
Ye Baixi immediately grew nervous, her palms sweating!
In the arena, Chu Yong roared. The Seventh Grade Four-Inch Golden Core inside him burned frantically, Spiritual Qi raged around him, and his Protective True Essence instantly blew away the rows of sword rain.
He slapped his waist, and a purple gourd floated above his head. In an instant, the mouth of the gourd spewed out a large amount of black mist.
The Zixia Smoke Gourd, a Spirit Rank Magic Treasure.
A black smoke instantly enveloped Chen Yuan, obscuring his vision.
No matter how Chen Yuan moved, the black smoke always enclosed him.
Chu Yong held the hammers in both hands, auspicious clouds seemingly beneath his feet, and appeared behind Chen Yuan in a thought.
“Kid, you like running, huh! You forced me to use a Magic Treasure. Let’s see how you run now!”
At such a close distance, he didn't believe Chen Yuan could escape.
Chu Yong’s eyes turned fierce, and he slammed the twin hammers down.
Feeling the thunderous force behind him, a playful smile appeared at the corner of Chen Yuan’s mouth.
He thought he couldn't escape at close range? He underestimated him too much!
“Whoosh! Whoosh!” The twin hammers struck the air, emitting a thunderous explosion.
Chen Yuan vanished from the spot again.
“How is this possible!” Chu Yong’s pupils contracted to pinpricks.
As he tried to flee, a Fist Radiance wrapped in purple cold ice grew larger and larger in his vision. The auspicious clouds beneath his feet seemed to be frozen by the cold ice, preventing him from escaping even an inch.
Outside, everyone held their breath, staring at the black mist. Suddenly, a burly figure flew out of it and crashed heavily below the Dao Discussion Platform, kicking up clouds of dust.
The black mist dissipated. Chen Yuan stood on the high platform, his expression calm and unwavering.
“G-good heavens! He... he won!” Someone stammered, their face filled with horror.
Everyone else felt massive waves surge in their hearts.
A dark horse! The absolute dark horse of the Newcomer Grand Competition!
Chen Yuan reached out his right hand, and the Zixia Smoke Gourd landed in his palm. He said indifferently, “Confiscated!”
Chu Yong scrambled up from the ground, clenched his fist, and shouted through gritted teeth, “That’s mine!”
“Heh, only suffering superficial injuries means I showed mercy. Consider this treasure a gift of thanks.
When you have the ability to defeat me, come and retrieve it.” Having said that, Chen Yuan descended the high platform and slowly walked toward the Ziqing Peak seats.
Many people looked at Chen Yuan with awe. The strong deserved respect.
Many young maidens stared unblinkingly at Chen Yuan’s retreating figure, their eyes filled with desire.
The presiding Elder leaped onto the high platform and announced loudly: “First match, Chen Yuan is victorious!”
Chu Yong returned to the Tianqing Peak seats with his head bowed.
“Sect Master, this Disciple is incompetent...”
Sect Master Song Yuanji waved his hand. “I don’t blame you for being unable to defeat him.”
How could Saint Grade Aptitude contend with Emperor Grade Aptitude? Song Yuanji took the loss in stride.
At the Yuanqing Peak seats, Elder Yuan Zhougang’s face was gloomy. He hadn't investigated Chen Yuan's strength when he had mocked Leng Youmeng earlier.
Now, he felt a stinging slap across the face!
He glanced at the two Direct Disciples behind him. One’s cultivation was only Golden Core Fourth Layer. How could he be Chen Yuan’s opponent?
What shocked him most was that this boy had gone from Golden Core First Layer to Golden Core Eighth Layer in just half a month. This speed was as swift as a nuclear explosion!
Just then, a cold glare shot over from the right. Yuan Zhougang knew without looking that it must be Leng Youmeng.
He snorted and ignored her.
Leng Youmeng was equally shocked internally. Others couldn't see the scene inside the black mist, but she saw it clearly.
Chen Yuan had actually cultivated the Profound Ice Fist to Major Achievement.
At the Ziqing Peak seats, Ye Baixi excitedly hugged Chen Yuan. “Brother, you’re so amazing!”
Many young maidens whose hearts were stirring sighed secretly, realizing that he was already taken.
Chen Yuan rubbed her head. “It’s your turn soon. Good luck!”
“Okay!” Ye Baixi blinked and secretly pecked Chen Yuan's cheek.
This scene broke the hearts of many boys and girls!
Of course, there were also infatuated onlookers who praised the pair’s looks: what a handsome couple!
Soon, it was Ye Baixi’s turn to take the stage.
Her opponent was a female Disciple from Zhuqing Peak named Qian Xiaowu, who was at the Golden Core Third Layer.
She was not tall, and the System rated her appearance at seventy-seven points, comparable to certain internet celebrities in the previous life.
“The Grand Competition begins!”
The Elder announced loudly, and the Grand Competition officially started.