Heaven rewards diligence, but there are always fairies plotting against me.

Chu Chang's expression turned serious, and he listened attentively.

The person who would warrant such a special reminder from Lin Ruoxue is definitely not someone to be trifled with.

Lin Ruoxue pointed her fingers like a sword and used her true essence to draw four blurry humanoid phantoms in the void, then slowly said:

"First place, third on the Outer Sect Prodigy Ranking, Fiery Blade, Lie Shan."

"This person possesses a single fire-attribute spiritual root, innate superhuman strength, and an extremely violent temper. His Crimson Flame Demon-Slaying Blade weighs nine hundred jin, and his signature technique, the Ninefold Blazing Fire Slash, has been mastered to perfection. A single strike unleashes a raging inferno that can melt an opponent, weapon and all, together. Although your physical body is strong, you must not attempt a direct confrontation with such extreme fiery true essence and a heavy blade."

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

"Second place, ranked second on the Outer Sect Prodigy List, Phantom Sword, Feng Wuji."

Lin Ruoxue pointed to the second somewhat elusive figure: "He possesses a wind-attribute unique spiritual root, and his speed is unparalleled among the outer sect disciples. His sword is extremely fast and unpredictable. It is said that when he fights, his opponents often don't even see his sword drawn before their throats are already slit. Moreover, this person is extremely skilled in movement techniques and assassination. If Lieshan is the chariot of a frontal assault, then Feng Wuji is the ghost of the night. Your fist technique is domineering, but if you can't hit him, it will be in vain."

"Wind attribute elemental root... speed, huh?" Chu Chang narrowed his eyes, secretly calculating in his mind.

"Third place." Lin Ruoxue's expression became extremely solemn, even with a hint of apprehension: "The one ranked first on the Outer Sect Prodigy Ranking, who has won the top spot in the Outer Sect Grand Competition for two consecutive years, but deliberately did not advance to the Inner Sect in order to solidify his foundation, the monstrous Immovable King, Tie Zhan."

"Iron War?" Chu Chang raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, Tie Zhan." Lin Ruoxue nodded. "This person is also a body-refining cultivator, and he mainly cultivates an extremely ancient and incomplete technique of the sect, the 'Ming Wang Bu Hua Shen' (Indestructible Body of the Bright King). His physical defense is invincible among many disciples of the outer sect, and even among many disciples of the inner sect. It is said that he once stood still and let three cultivators of the same level bombard him for half an hour, and he was completely unharmed. In the end, he only used one palm to break the bones of all three of them."

"Lieshan, Feng Wuji, Tiezhan..." Chu Chang counted the three names, then asked in confusion, "Senior Sister, you said there were four people, so who's the last one?"

Lin Ruoxue took a deep breath, and an unprecedented coldness and disgust flashed in her clear eyes.

"The last one isn't on the list of prodigies. But his level of danger is even greater than Tie Zhan's."

"His name is Zhao Wuji."

"Zhao Wuji?" Chu Chang was taken aback. "This name... is similar to Zhao Meng's..."

"That's right, he is Zhao Meng's younger brother, and also a pawn secretly cultivated by that person who is in the upper echelons of the sect and cultivates demonic arts."

Lin Ruoxue's voice was somewhat low: "Zhao Wuji is usually extremely low-key, even somewhat cowardly within the sect. But my master secretly discovered that his body had long been modified by that person using evil magic. He harbors an extremely terrifying demonic poison within him. Once it erupts, his strength will surge instantly, and his attacks will be extremely ruthless and merciless. Those afflicted will be beyond cure."

"Although the sect has suppressed the news of Zhao Meng's death, Zhao Wuji has definitely gotten wind of it. If you encounter him in the competition, he will absolutely stop at nothing to kill you. Therefore, he is the person you need to be most wary of."

After listening to Lin Ruoxue's introduction, Chu Chang not only did not feel fear, but his warlike blood was completely boiling.

Mad Blade Lieshan, Swift Sword Feng Wuji, Divine Defense Iron Warrior, and the insidious Zhao Wuji.

Each of these four opponents possesses extremely distinct and powerful characteristics.

"interesting……"

Chu Chang's lips curled slightly, revealing an extremely dangerous yet incredibly confident smile:

"The top spot in the outer sect does sound quite competitive. However, since I'm here... then they'll just have to take a backseat."

Looking at the young man before her, brimming with fighting spirit, Lin Ruoxue's lingering worry vanished in an instant.

"Then we'll see how you perform in the grand competition."

Lin Ruoxue's figure flickered, transforming into a white light and disappearing into the secluded valley, leaving only a cold, clear voice echoing in the air:

"Don't keep me waiting too long. I'm waiting for you to fight on the main peak of the inner sect."

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

"Three months... one more month. The Four Prodigies? I'll make you the perfect stepping stones for my 'Eight Desolations Demon-Suppressing Fist' and 'Golden Geng Sword Technique'!"

A month is but a fleeting moment for cultivators who are in seclusion and undergoing arduous training.

As the first wisp of purple mist broke through the eastern sea of ​​clouds at dawn, the massive martial arts arena of the Divine Sword Sect's Tianxuan Peak was already bustling with activity and packed with people.

The outer gate competition is held once every five years.

This is not only the only opportunity for tens of thousands of outer disciples to rise to the inner sect in one step, but also a stage for elders and deacons of each peak to secretly compete and demonstrate the strength of their own sects.

In the center of the vast square, nine arenas made of giant obsidian arena are lined up in a row.

Each arena was surrounded by a pale blue barrier to isolate the aftershocks of the battle.

"Look! That's Lie Shan, the third-ranked prodigy on the Prodigy Ranking!"

"Hiss! That Crimson Flame Demon-Slaying Blade on his back seems wider and heavier than before; I can feel a wave of heat even from this distance!"

"Feng Wuji has arrived too! He's still as elusive as ever..."

Amidst gasps of surprise, the renowned prodigies of the outer sect made their grand entrance.

Chu Chang, dressed in a simple black outfit, stood with his arms crossed, blending into the surging crowd.

His aura was extremely restrained, like an ancient sword returning to its sheath, simple and unadorned.

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

"Chu Chang!"

A crisp sound rang out.

Zhou Linzi was dressed in a neat blue short-sleeved shirt today, with several bulging medicine pouches hanging from her waist. She skipped and hopped over.

"Junior Sister Zhou, it seems you are well prepared." Chu Chang glanced at her and keenly noticed that there was a faint spiritual energy of plants and trees surrounding her, which meant that her cultivation had improved again in the past month.

"Of course! For this day, I brought all my secret explosive poison gu and quicksand array plate!" Zhou Linzi proudly raised her little fist, then her expression turned serious, and she lowered her voice:

"I just checked the draw. This outer sect competition uses a points-based elimination system. The first three rounds are skirmishes; the winner gets one point, and the loser loses one point. Only those who get three points can advance to the next round of the top 100 competition. You absolutely mustn't let yourself be caught off guard."

"Don't worry." Chu Chang smiled slightly, a barely perceptible glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes.

"when!!!"

Just then, a melodious and grand bell tolled from the top of Tianxuan Peak, instantly silencing all the noise in the square.

A senior elder from the outer sect, dressed in a dark red robe and with prominent temples, gracefully descended and hovered in mid-air.

His voice, booming like a bell and imbued with powerful true energy, clearly reached everyone's ears: "The Divine Sword Sect's Outer Sect Grand Competition begins today! All outer sect disciples of our sect are welcome to step onto the stage and fight! The rules remain the same: no one may intentionally maim another, and no one may use deadly poisons that kill upon contact with blood or light. Anyone who falls off the stage or voluntarily surrenders will be declared a loser!"

"The first round of the draw begins!"

With a wave of his sleeve, the Grand Elder sent countless streaks of light falling from the sky, transforming into bamboo slips inscribed with numbers, which landed in the hands of each participating disciple.

Chu Chang reached out and caught a glimmer of light.

"Category C, Arena Number Three, Match One."

Chu Chang looked at the words on the bamboo stick and a slight smile appeared on his lips:

"The first match... is just right for stretching your muscles."

…………

…………

Arena No. 3, Class C.

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

His opponent was already standing there. He was a burly young man with a fierce face, carrying a nine-ringed broadsword, and exuding a violent aura of a ninth-level Body Tempering Realm cultivator.

"Haha, kid, you're out of luck. You've run into me, King Meng of the Broken Mountain Blade!"

The burly young man glanced at Chu Chang's thin frame and simple black clothes, a cruel smile appearing on his face: "If you know what's good for you, get out of here, or I'll chop you in half with one stroke!"

The disciples watching from below the stage also began to discuss it amongst themselves.

"Who is this kid in black? He looks unfamiliar; he seems to be a newbie who hasn't been in the business for long?"

"We've actually run into Wang Meng. Wang Meng is quite a figure in the outer sect, and his 'Nine Styles of Broken Mountain' is incredibly powerful. This newcomer is probably in for a rough time."

Chu Chang remained calm in the face of Wang Meng's provocation. He didn't even bother to draw the iron sword at his waist; instead, he slowly extended his right hand and beckoned to Wang Meng with his finger.

Please enlighten me.

"court death!"

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

He roared, and his true energy surged wildly into the nine-ringed broadsword. The blade trembled, emitting a crisp clanging sound, and a thick layer of earthen-yellow blade light instantly surged.

"Get down on your knees! Mountain-Splitting Slash!"

Wang Meng leaped high into the air, gripped his sword with both hands, and using the momentum of his fall, slashed down fiercely at Chu Chang's head.

This strike was powerful and forceful, tearing through the air and producing a piercing shriek, as if it could truly cleave a small mountain in two.

Faced with this incomparably powerful strike, Chu Chang stood still, not even blinking.

Until the blade was only three feet away from his head.

Chu Chang made a move.

He neither dodged nor parried.

He simply lowered his shoulders and pulled in his abdomen, then threw his right fist upwards in an unremarkable manner.

"Eight Desolations Demon-Suppressing Fist, Shatter Mountains and Rivers!"

Although he only used less than 30% of his physical strength and didn't even activate his true essence much, the terrifying speed of his fist still created a muffled sonic boom as flesh broke through the sound barrier in the void.

"boom!"

Chu Chang's fist slammed down hard on the blade of the nine-ringed broadsword without any fancy moves.

Amidst the horrified gazes of countless disciples below the stage.

The nine-ringed broadsword, forged from refined iron and imbued with powerful earth-attribute true essence, was like tofu hitting granite the moment it came into contact with Chu Chang's fist.

"Snap!"

A piercing cracking sound rang out.

The nine-ringed broadsword shattered into countless fragments in an instant.

"What?!"

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

But the residual force of Chu Chang's punch had not yet dissipated; the violent fist wind transformed into an invisible force, slamming heavily into Wang Meng's chest.

"puff!!!"

Wang Meng spat out a mouthful of blood, and like a kite with a broken string, he flew backwards for more than ten feet, crashing heavily onto the open ground below the arena. After struggling for a few moments, he completely lost consciousness.

One punch, the knife shattered, the man flew!

The area around the No. 3 arena fell into a deathly silence in an instant.

The outer disciples below the stage gaped, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

"I...I didn't see that wrong, did I? He shattered Wang Meng's nine-ringed saber with a single punch?"

"That's refined iron through a hundredfold process! Is this guy's body made of refined gold?"

"Where did this monster named Chu Chang come from?!"

The elder in charge was also taken aback for a moment, then gave Chu Chang a meaningful look before loudly announcing, "First match, Chu Chang of Tianxuan Peak wins! One point!"

Chu Chang bowed slightly to the elder in charge, then his figure swayed and he gracefully landed off the arena, his expression as calm as if he had just crushed an insignificant ant.

The competition proceeded extremely quickly.

Over the next few hours, Chu Chang displayed a despair-inducing level of dominance.

In the second match, his opponent was a female disciple at the peak of the ninth level of Body Tempering, skilled in movement techniques. The female disciple, confident in her speed, blurred into countless afterimages on the arena, attempting to wear down Chu Chang's stamina.

However, Chu Chang simply stood quietly in the center of the arena.

Just as the other person circled behind him, attempting to launch a sneak attack with a dagger.

Chu Chang didn't even turn his head. His right hand shot out like lightning, accurately grabbing the other's wrist, and then he gave it a slight shake.

The violent internal force penetrated her, and the female disciple felt numbness and weakness in half of her body. She couldn't even muster a trace of true energy and was gently sent off the stage by Chu Chang.

Second win, two points!

In the third match, the opponent was a "Beast Taming Disciple" who was quite famous in the outer sect. He summoned an "Ironclad Black Bear" whose strength was comparable to that of a Qi Refining early stage cultivator.

Facing that giant beast with thick skin and flesh, whose defenses were so tough that even ordinary flying swords could hardly cut through it.

Chu Chang simply stepped forward to meet the attack head-on.

"Thump!"

A simple and brutal shoulder strike.

The towering, armored black bear, weighing several thousand kilograms and standing two zhang tall, was sent flying by Chu Chang's physical impact. It crashed onto the marble floor with a thud, let out two groans, and then, no matter how its master urged it on, it dared not look at Chu Chang again, burying its head between its paws.

Third win, three points!

With this, Chu Chang won all three battles and stormed into the top 100 of the outer sect competition with an almost overwhelming force.

Meanwhile, on the white jade viewing platform on the other side of the square...

Several outer sect elders and inner sect deacons also began to notice this dark horse that had suddenly emerged.

"This kid's physical strength is truly terrifying. Judging from his fighting style, there are faint traces of the Eight Desolations Demon Suppressing Fist?" an inner sect deacon said with some surprise.

"The Eight Desolations Demon-Suppressing Fist? That incomplete body-refining technique that even inner disciples rarely dare to practice? This kid has actually mastered it, and it seems he's quite proficient at it." Another elder exclaimed in admiration.

Meanwhile, in the seats of the elders of Tianxuan Peak, Zhou Linzi's master—a middle-aged beauty who still retained her charm—smiled slightly, her beautiful eyes full of satisfaction.

"Chu Chang... this child, Ruoxue was right about him."