At that moment, silence blanketed the arena.
Below the platform, the disciples of Longshou Peak stared in stunned awe at the solitary figure.
Ji Changfeng, clad in flowing white robes, cradled his two divine swords. With his back to the crowd, he lifted his gaze to the heavens, his voice clear and commanding…
"Remember! Losing to me is the only thing worth remembering in your life!"
The domineering words echoed in everyone's ears.
The Longshou Peak disciples stood speechless.
Qi Hao gazed at the peerless silhouette, his mind involuntarily drifting back to his recent encounter at Dazhu Peak…
Is he really this strong?
A bitter taste lingered in Qi Hao's heart.
The scene captivated all onlookers.
Even the matches on the other three arenas halted, as eyes turned to the white-robed figure. His bold declaration lingered in their minds, leaving them in awe…
"Ji Changfeng! Well done!"
"Crush them all!"
The Dazhu Peak disciples erupted in cheers. Tian Ling'er, hands cupped like a megaphone, shouted toward the arena with a crisp voice.
Then, she shot a fierce glare at Qi Hao and his group.
The Longshou Peak disciples opened their mouths, wanting to retort.
But…
One glance at the transcendent figure on the arena, and they instinctively clamped their mouths shut.
Can't afford to provoke him.
At that moment, disciples from the other peaks began to murmur among themselves:
"Hiss—such bold words!"
"Who is this guy?"
"He's Ji Changfeng, Ji Changfeng of Dazhu Peak!"
"Ji Changfeng? Could he be…"
"The peerless genius who shattered Qingyun Sect's cultivation records?"
"Reaching Jade Purity's first layer in one night, and the second layer in half a month—this isn't just a genius, this is a monster!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
In a few words, they uncovered Ji Changfeng's near-invincible cultivation history and his achievements…
At the same time, they recognized his opponent.
"Junior Brother Ji's opponent is Lin Jingyu, a disciple of Longshou Peak, one of the orphans from Caomiao Village…"
"He's only been in the sect for five years and has already broken through to Jade Purity's fifth layer."
"Five years? Jade Purity's fifth layer?"
"Hiss—"
"A Jade Purity fifth-layer cultivator couldn't even withstand one of Junior Brother Ji's sword intents? Could it be…"
"Has Junior Brother Ji already broken through to Upper Purity?!!"
The words sent shockwaves through the crowd.
But soon, they shook their heads.
Breaking through to Upper Purity wasn't that easy.
No matter how fast one's cultivation progressed, reaching Upper Purity in just five years was unthinkable.
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
On the arena, Ji Changfeng ignored the crowd's murmurs. He turned to the presiding elder, bowing respectfully. "Senior, may the result be announced?"
"Huh? Oh, yes…"
The Tongtian Peak elder snapped back to reality, lightly striking the small bell beside him. "This round, Ji Changfeng of Dazhu Peak, victorious!"
Ji Changfeng offered another respectful bow.
Then, without hesitation, he turned and left the arena.
He didn't spare Lin Jingyu a single glance.
"You…"
Lin Jingyu, still kneeling in pain, glared at Ji Changfeng's retreating figure. Overwhelmed by rage, he fainted on the spot.
Seeing this, the Longshou Peak disciples hurriedly scurried up, carrying him off…
From this day forward, Lin Jingyu would likely live forever in Ji Changfeng's shadow.
Taoist Cangsong, however, saw no issue with this.
To lose to Senior Brother Wan's disciple?
That was Lin Jingyu's honor!
High above, the peak elders exchanged glances.
Tian Buyi calmly lifted his teacup, taking a sip, though inwardly he was bursting with joy.
He stole a glance, hoping to catch Taoist Cangsong with a sour expression, but…
To his shock, Cangsong showed no trace of displeasure—instead, he looked exhilarated.
???
My Dazhu Peak disciple just thrashed your Longshou Peak disciple, and you're excited?
Tian Buyi was utterly baffled.
To this, Taoist Cangsong scoffed inwardly: You know nothing!
His eyes gleamed as he watched Ji Changfeng, his heart swelling with admiration.
"As expected of Senior Brother Wan's disciple!"
"For Jingyu to lose to Martial Nephew Changfeng is his honor…"
Master Shuiyue gazed at Ji Changfeng, lost in thought.
Her mind drifted back to the Seven Peaks Tournament three hundred years ago…
Back then, Senior Brother Wan had been just as radiant.
Master Daoxuan stroked his beard lightly, watching Ji Changfeng with a sigh. "In the future, our Qingyun Sect will give rise to a peerless sword immortal!"
His words prompted an immediate nod from Taoist Cangsong. "Martial Nephew Changfeng has the potential for Supreme Purity!"
Though they all knew of Ji Changfeng's talent, seeing him so spirited and transcendent stirred their hearts…
Martial Nephew Changfeng could well be called—a young sword immortal!
Ji Changfeng descended the arena.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a cool, composed girl in a distant corner, silently watching him, her Tianya Sword in her arms.
Ji Changfeng gave Lu Xueqi a faint smile.
At this, Lu Xueqi turned and left without a word.
"Ji Changfeng! Over here, quick!"
A bright, cheerful voice rang out.
Tian Ling'er stood among the Dazhu Peak disciples, waving excitedly at him.
Ji Changfeng walked over.
Tian Ling'er's eyes sparkled with admiration, her cheeks flushed. "Ji Changfeng! That was amazing!"
"You should've seen the looks on those Longshou Peak disciples' faces…"
Tian Ling'er chattered nonstop beside him.
Ji Changfeng smiled lightly and asked, "Little Senior Sister, how many of our Dazhu Peak disciples have finished their first round?"
Tian Ling'er thought for a moment. "Me, you, and Senior Brother. Xiaofan's match isn't over yet."
Ji Changfeng nodded.
Zhang Xiaofan would breeze through, no question.
As long as he didn't face an elite like Qi Hao, a Jade Purity ninth-layer disciple, Zhang Xiaofan's dual Buddhist-Taoist foundation and his Firestick—comparable to a divine weapon—would easily carry him to the top four…
"Seventh Senior Brother, Senior Sister."
At that moment, a voice called from behind.
Zhang Xiaofan approached, the Firestick tucked at his waist, a grin on his face.
"Xiaofan? Is your match done?" Tian Ling'er asked.
"Done!" Zhang Xiaofan nodded. He looked at Ji Changfeng, smiling. "Seventh Senior Brother, I won!"
"Not bad," Ji Changfeng said with a slight smile.
Then, he noticed someone standing beside Zhang Xiaofan.
The figure wore a cyan robe, holding a folding fan, looking rather flamboyant…
"Who's this?" Tian Ling'er asked, glancing at the stranger curiously.
Before Zhang Xiaofan could introduce him, the man stepped forward with a grin, not a hint of shyness. "I'm Zeng Shushu of Fenghui Peak. Greetings, Senior Sister Tian, Senior Brother Ji," he said, fanning himself with a smile.
"Zeng Shushu?" Ji Changfeng gave him a thoughtful look.
"Senior Brother Ji, I watched your match just now—it was incredible, especially that line…" Zeng Shushu sidled up, slinging an arm around Ji Changfeng's shoulder like they were old friends.
With that, he pulled a small booklet from his robe.
Scrawled across it were Ji Changfeng's domineering words.
____
If you want to support me and read advanced 100+ chapters and also other stories: patreon.com/Caluem