Chapter 67: Zhao Wuji

Chu Chang's expression turned solemn as he listened attentively.

Anyone who could make even Senior Sister Lin Ruoxue speak up to warn him was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

Senior Sister Lin Ruoxue pointed her fingers like a sword, drawing four vague human silhouettes in the void with her True Qi, and said slowly: "The first one is ranked third on the Outer Sect Prodigy Ranking: the Fiery Mad Blade, Lie Shan."

"This person has a single Fire-attribute Spiritual Root, possesses innate Divine Power, and has an extremely violent temper. His Red Flame Demon-Slaying Blade weighs nine hundred catties, and his signature technique, 'Nine Layers of Blazing Fire', has been cultivated to the Major Achievement Realm. With one slash, raging flames billow, capable of melting an opponent along with their weapon. Although your Physical Body is strong, do not confront him head-on when facing his extreme Fire-attribute Spiritual Qi and heavy blade."

Chu Chang nodded slightly. A heavy blade paired with raging fire was indeed a highly destructive fighting style.

"The second one is ranked second on the Outer Sect Prodigy Ranking: the Phantom Sword, Feng Wuji."

Senior Sister Lin Ruoxue pointed to the second, somewhat flickering silhouette: "He has a wind-attribute variant Spiritual Root, and his speed is unrivaled in the Outer Sect. His sword is extremely fast and devious. It is said that when he fights others, his opponent often does not even see his sword leave its sheath before their throat has been slit. Furthermore, he is extremely skilled in movement techniques and assassination. If Lie Shan is a frontal assault tank, then Feng Wuji is a ghost in the dark night. Your fist techniques are overbearing, but if you cannot hit him, it is all in vain."

"Wind-attribute variant Spiritual Root… speed, is it." Chu Chang narrowed his eyes, calculating silently in his heart.

"The third one." Senior Sister Lin Ruoxue's expression became extremely grave, even carrying a hint of wariness: "Ranked first on the Outer Sect Prodigy Ranking, a two-time champion of the Outer Sect Grand Competition who intentionally did not ascend to the Inner Sect to solidify his Foundation: the Prodigy, the Immovable Wisdom King, Tie Zhan."

"Tie Zhan?" Chu Chang raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, Tie Zhan." Senior Sister Lin Ruoxue nodded. "This person is also a Body Cultivator, and he primarily Cultivates an extremely ancient and incomplete Cultivation Technique from the Sect, the 'Indestructible King Body'. His Physical Body defense is an invincible existence in the Outer Sect, and even among many Disciples in the Inner Sect. It is said that he once stood still, allowing three Cultivators of the same Realm to bomb him for half an hour, and he remained unscathed. In the end, he used only one palm to break all the bones of those three people."

"Lie Shan, Feng Wuji, Tie Zhan…" Chu Chang counted these three names and asked doubtfully, "Senior Sister, you said there were four people just now. What about the last one?"

Senior Sister Lin Ruoxue took a deep breath, and a flash of unprecedented coldness and disgust appeared in her clear, cold eyes.

"The last one is not on the Prodigy Ranking. But his level of danger is even higher than Tie Zhan's."

"His name is Zhao Wuji."

"Zhao Wuji?" Chu Chang was stunned. "This name… with Zhao Meng…"

"Correct, he is Zhao Meng's own younger brother, and also a pawn secretly cultivated by that person in the high levels of the Sect who practices Demonic Techniques."

Senior Sister Lin Ruoxue's voice was somewhat low: "Zhao Wuji is extremely low-key in his daily life, and even appears somewhat cowardly in the Sect. But my Master secretly investigated and found that this person's body had long been transformed by that person using evil methods. He harbors terrifying Demonic Poison within his body; once it erupts, his strength will skyrocket in an instant, and his attacks are extremely ruthless and merciless. Those who are struck have no cure."

"Although the Sect has suppressed the news of Zhao Meng's death, Zhao Wuji must have already received some wind of it. If you encounter him in the Grand Competition, he will definitely use any means to kill you. Therefore, he is the person you need to guard against the most."

After hearing Senior Sister Lin Ruoxue's introduction, not only did Chu Chang not feel fear, but the battle-hungry blood in his body boiled over completely.

The Mad Blade Lie Shan, the Fast Sword Feng Wuji, the Divine Defense Tie Zhan, and the sinister Zhao Wuji.

These four opponents each possessed extremely distinct and powerful characteristics.

"Interesting…"

The corners of Chu Chang's mouth lifted slightly, revealing an extremely dangerous yet incredibly confident smile: "The seat of the Outer Sect's number one does sound quite crowded. However, since I have come… then they will just have to step aside."

Seeing the young man before her with soaring Battle Intent, the faint worry in her heart dissipated in an instant for some reason.

"Then, I shall look forward to your performance at the Grand Competition."

Senior Sister Lin Ruoxue's figure flickered, turning into a ray of white light, and she disappeared into the quiet valley, leaving only one cold sentence echoing in the air: "Do not make me wait too long; I will wait for you to come and fight on the Inner Sect's main Peak."

Chu Chang stood by the pool, clenching his fists tightly.

"Three months… there is still one month left. The four great prodigies? Let you all become the perfect stepping stones for my Eight Desolations Demon-Suppressing Fist and Golden Geng Sword Art!"

A month's time, in the closed-door cultivation and bitter practice of a Cultivator, is but a blink of an eye.

When the first ray of purple Qi in the morning broke through the sea of clouds in the east, the huge martial arts square of Tianxuan Peak in the Divine Sword Sect was already a scene of bustling noise and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

The Outer Sect Grand Competition, held once every five years.

This is not only the only opportunity for tens of thousands of Outer Sect Disciples to ascend to the Inner Sect in one step, but also a stage for Elders and deacons of various Peaks to secretly compete and display the strength of their own subordinates.

In the center of the large square, nine martial arts arenas built of giant 'Obsidian' were lined up.

A pale blue barrier of light circulated around each arena to isolate the aftermath of the battles.

"Look! That is the third-ranked Prodigy on the Prodigy Ranking, the Fiery Mad Blade, Lie Shan!"

"Hiss! The Red Flame Demon-Slaying Blade on his back seems even wider and heavier than before. Even from this far away, one can feel a wave of heat!"

"Feng Wuji has arrived too! He is still as elusive as ever…"

Amidst the exclamations, the renowned prodigies of the Outer Sect all made their appearances.

Chu Chang wore a simple black martial outfit, arms crossed, blending into the surging crowd.

His aura was restrained to the extreme, like an ancient sword returned to its sheath, unadorned and plain.

But beneath his seemingly calm skin, every cell seemed to contain the power of a volcanic eruption.

"Chu Chang!"

A crisp voice came. Zhou Linzi was wearing a neat cyan short outfit today, with several bulging medicine pouches hanging from her waist, and she ran over skipping.

"Junior Sister Zhou, it seems you are well prepared." Chu Chang glanced at her and keenly sensed a faint aura of vegetation Spiritual Qi lingering around her, clearly indicating that her cultivation had improved again within this month.

"Of course, for this day, this girl has brought even the Explosive Poison Gu and Quicksand Formation Plate from the bottom of my chest." Zhou Linzi proudly raised her small fist, then her expression turned serious, and she whispered: "I just checked at the drawing area. This Outer Sect Grand Competition uses a points-based elimination system. The first three rounds are encounter battles; the winner gains one point, and the loser loses one point. Only those who get three points can enter the next round of the Top 100 Competition. You must not capsize in the gutter."

"Don't worry." Chu Chang smiled slightly, a flash of imperceptible sharpness in his eyes.

"Dang!!!"

Just then, a melodious and grand bell toll boomed from the Peak of Tianxuan Peak, instantly suppressing all the noise in the square.

A Grand Elder of the Outer Sect, wearing a dark red robe with temples bulging high, drifted down and hovered in mid-air.

His voice was like a booming bell, mixed with powerful True Qi, clearly reaching everyone's ears: "The Divine Sword Sect Outer Sect Grand Competition begins today! All Outer Sect Disciples of our Sect may come up to the stage to fight! The rules remain the same: do not intentionally cause disability, do not use blood-sealing, lethal poisons, and those who fall off the arena or voluntarily concede will be judged as having lost!"

"The first round of drawing for duels, begin!"

As the Grand Elder waved his sleeve, countless streams of light fell from the sky, turning into bamboo slips with numbers written on them, falling into the hands of each participating Disciple.

Chu Chang reached out and caught a stream of light.

"'Bing' character, Arena No. 3, first match."

Chu Chang looked at the characters on the bamboo slip, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly: "The first match, huh… Stretching my muscles and bones is just right."

'Bing' character, Arena No. 3.

Chu Chang's figure flickered, and he landed lightly on the arena.

His opponent was already standing on it one step ahead. It was a burly young man with a face full of flesh, carrying a nine-ringed broadsword in his hand, his whole body exuding the violent fluctuations of the ninth level of Body Tempering.

"Haha, kid, you're unlucky to have met me, Wang Meng, the Mountain-Breaking Blade!"

The burly young man glanced at Chu Chang's thin figure and simple black clothes, a cruel smile appearing on his face: "If you're sensible, get down yourself, lest I hack you to pieces with one slash!"

The Disciples watching under the stage also began to discuss.

"Who is this kid in black? He looks very unfamiliar; he seems to be a newcomer who hasn't been in the Sect long, right?"

"He actually ran into Wang Meng. Wang Meng is a figure in the Outer Sect, and his 'Nine Styles of Mountain-Breaking' is powerful and heavy. This newcomer is going to be miserable."

Facing Wang Meng's provocation, Chu Chang's expression was calm as water. He did not even intend to draw the iron sword at his waist; he just slowly extended his right hand and hooked his finger at Wang Meng: "Please enlighten me."

"Seeking death!"

Wang Meng was completely enraged by Chu Chang's contemptuous attitude.

He roared, and True Qi in his body poured madly into the nine-ringed broadsword. The blade vibrated, making a clattering sound, and a layer of heavy, earth-yellow blade light surged instantly.

"Get down! Mountain-Breaking Slash!"

Wang Meng jumped high, holding the sword with both hands, and with the momentum of his descent, he fiercely slashed at Chu Chang's head.

This slash was powerful and heavy, tearing through the air and bringing with it a piercing whistle, as if it could really split a small hill in two.

Facing this mighty and unparalleled slash, Chu Chang stood where he was, not even blinking.

Until the blade was only three feet from the top of his head.

Chu Chang moved.

He did not dodge, nor did he parry.

He simply lowered his shoulders and pulled in his abdomen, then, his right fist blasted upward, plain and unremarkable: "Eight Desolations Demon-Suppressing Fist, Mountain and River Shatter!"

Although he used less than 30% of his Physical Body strength, and did not even urge much True Qi, the terrifying fist speed still smashed a dull sonic boom in the void, where flesh broke the sound barrier.

"Boom!"

Chu Chang's flesh-and-blood fist smashed fiercely onto the blade of the nine-ringed broadsword without any fancy tricks.

In the shocked eyes of countless Disciples under the stage.

The nine-ringed broadsword, made of hundred-refined fine iron and containing powerful Earth-attribute True Qi, shattered like tofu hitting granite the moment it touched Chu Chang's fist.

"Crack!"

A harsh shattering sound rang out.

The nine-ringed broadsword shattered into pieces in an instant, turning into countless fragments and flying out.

"What?!"

The ferocious smile on Wang Meng's face froze instantly, replaced by endless terror.

But the remaining power of Chu Chang's punch had not dissipated. The violent fist wind turned into an invisible giant force, slamming fiercely onto Wang Meng's chest.

"Pfft!!!"

Wang Meng spat out a mouthful of blood, his whole body flying backward like a kite with a broken string, smashing heavily onto the open ground under the arena, struggling a few times before fainting completely.

One punch, blade shattered, person flown!

The entire area around the 'Bing' character Arena No. 3 fell into a deathly silence for an instant.

The Outer Sect Disciples under the stage all opened their mouths wide, and their eyeballs almost popped out.

"I… I didn't see that wrong, did I? One punch shattered Wang Meng's nine-ringed sword?"

"That's hundred-refined fine iron! Is this guy's body poured with refined gold?"

"Where on earth did this monster named Chu Chang pop out from?!"

The deacon Elder was also stunned for a moment, then looked at Chu Chang with some deep meaning, and announced loudly: "First match, Chu Chang of Tianxuan Peak, wins! Gains one point!"

Chu Chang bowed slightly to the deacon Elder, his figure flickered, and he landed lightly off the arena, his expression as calm as if he had just pinched an insignificant ant to death.

The progress of the Grand Competition was extremely fast.

In the next few hours, Chu Chang showed a despair-inducing dominance.

In the second match, his opponent was a female Disciple at the ninth level of Body Tempering who was good at movement techniques. The female Disciple prided herself on her extreme speed, turning into countless afterimages on the arena, attempting to consume Chu Chang's stamina. However, Chu Chang just stood quietly in the center of the arena.

The moment the opponent circled behind him, attempting to sneak attack with a dagger.

Chu Chang did not even look back, directly extending his right hand like lightning, accurately grabbing the opponent's wrist, and then shaking it gently.

Violent dark energy penetrated, the female Disciple felt her half-body go numb, could not even lift a trace of True Qi, and was directly and gently sent off the arena by Chu Chang.

Second win, gains two points!

In the third match, his opponent was a 'Beast-Taming Disciple' who was quite famous in the Outer Sect, summoning an 'Armored Black Bear' with strength comparable to the Early Stage of Body Refining.

Facing the giant beast with thick skin and flesh that even ordinary Flying Swords could hardly cut through its defense.

Chu Chang just stepped forward and charged head-on.

"Dong!"

A simple and brutal 'Mountain-Leaning Strike'.

The two-zhang tall, thousands-of-catties heavy Armored Black Bear was forcibly rammed off the ground by Chu Chang's Physical Body, smashing heavily onto the marble floor, humming twice, and then, no matter how its Master urged it, it dared not look at Chu Chang again, directly burying its head between its paws.

Third win, gains three points!

Thus, Chu Chang won all three battles, and with a posture that was almost crushing, he forcefully killed his way into the top 100 of the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

And at this moment, on the white jade viewing platform on the other side of the square.

Several Outer Sect Elders and deacons from the Inner Sect also began to notice this super dark horse who had suddenly killed his way out.

"This little guy's physical strength is truly terrifying. Looking at his Cultivation Technique style, does it faintly have a few shadows of the 'Eight Desolations Demon-Suppressing Fist'?" An Inner Sect deacon said with some surprise.

"'Eight Desolations Demon-Suppressing Fist'? That incomplete Body Refining technique that even Inner Sect Disciples rarely dare to practice? This kid actually entered the door, and it looks like his skill is not low." Another Elder exclaimed.

And on the seats of the Tianxuan Peak Elders, Zhou Linzi's Master—a middle-aged beautiful woman with lingering charm—smiled slightly, her beautiful eyes full of relief.

"Chu Chang… this child, indeed did not let Ruoxue misjudge."