142: Chen Ping'an's Counterattack

“What a lot of nonsense.”

There was no flashy opening Move.

Chen Ping'an's body merely flickered.

A faint afterimage was left in his original spot.

“You…”

The sneer on Zhao Tiezhu’s face instantly froze, and in his pupils, a remarkably plain face was reflected.

Chen Ping'an reached out and, under Zhao Tiezhu’s horrified gaze, gently placed his hand on his shoulder.

Then, he flung him.

“Whoosh—!”

Zhao Tiezhu’s burly body flew straight off the arena, landing with a “thud” dozens of feet away, and he immediately fainted on the spot.

The entire process was fluid and decisive.

It didn't even stir up a breeze.

The attention of most Disciples was still focused on the fierce duels among the Inner Sect Disciples, and they did not notice the scene unfolding in this secluded corner.

Only a few individuals, with the corner of their eyes, caught a glimpse of this outrageous sight.

They rubbed their eyes vigorously, almost unable to believe what they had seen.

One Move?

No, that didn't even count as one Move!

What the hell kind of demonic art was this?!

Above the high platform.

Li Huowang yawned listlessly, as if he had long anticipated this outcome.

Beside him, the True Disciples from other peaks also witnessed this scene in its entirety.

This new kid from Star Sword Peak… is a bit strange.

After dealing with his opponent, Chen Ping'an turned and walked off the arena, returning to Li Huowang’s side, and once again closed his eyes to rest.

After about an incense stick’s worth of rest.

“Next match! Star Sword Peak, Chen Ping'an! Vs!...”

The referee’s voice sounded again.

Chen Ping'an got up and went to the stage; his opponent was a skilled practitioner who was somewhat well-known among the Inner Sect Disciples.

This time, he did not crush his opponent as he had before.

Instead, he honestly exchanged a few Moves with his opponent.

Sword light intertwined, and Qi surged horizontally.

The Inner Sect Disciple grew more and more alarmed as he fought, and more and more frustrated!

He discovered that no matter how exquisite the sword technique he displayed, his opponent could always easily resolve it with a seemingly clumsy and simple method!

The feeling was like punching cotton; he had strength but nowhere to use it!

“Bang!”

Another head-on clash, and the Inner Sect Disciple felt an irresistible immense force coming from the sword body, his tiger's mouth went numb, and the long sword in his hand actually flew out!

He looked up again, only to see Chen Ping'an’s sword already close at hand.

“I… I surrender!” He shouted without thinking, his voice hoarse.

If he continued to fight, he feared he would even lose his life!

This battle finally attracted widespread attention within the Sect.

“Holy cow! Isn’t that the new Disciple from Star Sword Peak? He… he actually defeated Senior Brother Zhang, who is ranked in the top fifty among Inner Sect Disciples?!”

“How is this possible?! I remember two months ago, when he first joined the Sect, he was nothing but a good-for-nothing who couldn’t even compare to a third-rate Martial Artist!”

“Two months! From a third-rate Martial Artist to someone who can rival a Great Grandmaster?! Is he riding a rocket?!”

Questions and exclamations rose and fell.

At this moment, Chen Ping'an’s name was thoroughly established in Lichen Sword Sect.

Above the high platform, the Peak Lords of the other peaks also cast their gazes over.

Where did Star Sword Peak find such a Prodigy?!

Chen Ping'an ignored the astonishing gazes around him.

He returned to Li Huowang’s side and once again sat down cross-legged.

Only this time, he did not close his eyes to rest.

He flipped his wrist.

A peculiar Ore, about the size of a fist, emitting a sharp golden glow, appeared in his palm.

It was precisely one of the Five Elements spiritual items bestowed by his Revered Master—the Geng Metal Stone!

“Oh?”

Li Huowang saw it.

“Junior Brother, are you… about to Breakthrough in battle?”

Chen Ping'an nodded with some joy, tightly clutched the Geng Metal Stone, and slowly closed his eyes.

The Tai Xuan Gathering Qi Technique began to circulate!

Buzz!

The Geng Metal Stone emitted a faint hum, and an extremely pure Geng Metal force, following Chen Ping'an’s arm, surged into his Dantian.

His Dantian Qi Sea, at this moment, seemed to be creating heaven and earth!

The originally gaseous Dharma power, under the refinement of the Geng Metal force, began to compress and condense at a visible speed, finally transforming into a drop of golden liquid!

Boom!

A terrifying pressure, far exceeding that of a Great Grandmaster, suddenly emanated from his body.

Foundation Establishment Stage First Level!

Metal-type Dharma power.

It's done!

Half an hour later, Chen Ping'an slowly opened his eyes, a golden electric light flashing within them.

Feeling the Dharma power surging like a river within his body, a genuine smile of joy finally appeared on his face.

“Congratulations, Junior Brother, congratulations, Junior Brother.” Li Huowang chuckled, “How does Foundation Establishment feel?”

“Very strong.” Chen Ping'an replied cheerfully.

…

Time was already the next day.

The competitions for ordinary Disciples had basically concluded.

When the dozens of surviving Inner Sect elites saw Chen Ping'an’s figure still appearing on the promotion list, they were all curious and shocked.

This guy actually made it to the final round?!

Outrageous!

It was simply too outrageous!

Just as everyone was in doubt, the voice of Sect Master Li Tian from the high platform slowly sounded.

“Inner Sect Disciple competition, final round!”

“Yujian Peak, Su Qingxue! Vs! Star Sword Peak, Chen Ping'an!”

A white-robed figure, from the Yujian Peak area, gracefully rose up, like a startled swan, lightly landing on the arena.

It was precisely Su Qingxue, who was hailed as a favored daughter of heaven, born with a clear Sword Heart.

Her gaze fell on Chen Ping'an, carrying a hint of curiosity, a touch of scrutiny, and… a trace of Battle Intent.

Chen Ping'an walked onto the arena, facing her from afar.

Above the high platform, Li Huowang also picked up Peak Lord Lu’s bad habit of cracking melon seeds.

He knew that this match was without suspense.

“Match, begin!”

With the referee’s command!

Clang! Clang!

Two clear sword cries sounded almost simultaneously!

The two instantly engaged in battle!

Su Qingxue’s sword technique was agile and graceful, like continuous spring rain, penetrating everywhere, her sword light weaving into an impenetrable net, completely sealing off all of Chen Ping'an’s retreats.

But Chen Ping'an’s sword was broad and simple, even… a bit clumsy.

He did not display any exquisite Moves, simply and straightforwardly, he infused the Dharma power of the Foundation Establishment Stage into the sword body, and with each sword stroke, he chopped, hacked, thrust, and parried.

Every sword strike carried a domineering force that could overcome ten techniques with one strength!

Clang, clang, clang!

The sound of metal clashing was incessant!

In an instant, the two had already exchanged nearly a hundred Moves!

Su Qingxue grew more and more alarmed as she fought!

She found that her proud sword technique was everywhere constrained in front of her opponent!

“Can’t drag this out any longer!”

Su Qingxue gritted her silver teeth, a flash of determination in her eyes!

She retreated rapidly, her long sword forming a sword flower, and a terrifying Sword Intent, far exceeding what she had shown before, suddenly erupted!

“Rainfall, Heavy Clouds!”

It was precisely Yujian Peak’s ultimate technique!

However, what greeted her was not Chen Ping'an’s equally earth-shattering counterattack.

But an arrogant remark.

“It’s over.”

Chen Ping'an shook his head, seemingly somewhat bored.

The “Peace of Mind” sword, bestowed by his Revered Master, unexpectedly flew out of his hand without any warning!

Buzz!

The long sword emitted a soft hum, actually floating directly in mid-air!

Its tip pointed distantly at Su Qingxue!

An unprecedented, sharp Sword Intent, as if it could pierce through the Divine Soul, locked onto her tightly!

“This… this is?!”

Su Qingxue’s pupils suddenly constricted, and a look of absolute horror appeared on her cold, pretty face!

“Yu… Yujian Technique?!”

“The Yujian Technique that Peak Lord Lu used that day! It appeared!”