Shui Ruohua shook at Zhuo Fanâs words, âHave you met Qingcheng before?â
With Chu Qingchengâs vacant mind, she would usually avoid anyone who got close, except in this manâs case, she actually took initiative. What was even more baffling, no acquaintance could achieve this, not as easily as this man.
It could only mean that he had to be a very close friend to Qingcheng, closer than even her fellow sisters.
Zhuo Fan said, âYou could say we are close, but I just canât believe that after all these years, she became like thisâŠâ
âI see, sir must be an old friend of Qingcheng.â
Shui Ruohua nodded and sighed inside, âLife is in constant change and Qingcheng has suffered so much these years. When her husband passed, sheâŠâ
Shui Ruohua was filled with grief, speaking of Chu Qingchengâs matters these years, though it felt more like using a shoulder to cry on.
Zhuo Fan listened quietly, about his loving wifeâs troubles, with each word stabbing his heart. The sorrow he felt for her brought him to tears.
But he gnashed his teeth and bore through them, forcing those bitter tears to be buried in his heart.
The others listened in on the hardships and lowered their heads as they glanced at Zhuo Fan.
The stage was drowned in shouts and roars of the crowd, with only this small corner at peace. The pain and sorrow overwhelmed everyone for a long time.
Chu Qingcheng had flinched now and then at Shui Ruohuaâs retelling, slowly leaning on Zhuo Fanâs shoulder.
Zhuo Fan could no longer stop the tears, falling down in waves. In all these years as her husband, only now could he lend his shoulder to his weary wife.
He felt pain like no other in all his livesâŠ
The crowd was too busy hollering and shouting to pay any attention to their pain. Their eyes bloodshot while watching the stage with fervent joy and thirst for a good fight.
Crack~
Ye Linâs knuckles crackled as he stared hard at Ouyang Changqing, âYou almost had me for a second there, when you bastard said you didnât want sister Qingcheng to disturb you. But now I see you went to such lengths to set the stage all to show off to a woman. Humph, youâre a real piece of work. Youâd rather show off to some cheap broad than save a life. I vow on my name as a sacred beast inheritor that Iâll put you in your place here and now!â
âHey, who the hell are you calling cheap? For insulting the woman of my dreams, I will make you pay!â Ouyang Changqing cursed back.
He exploded with power in a blue glow, cold and thick, giving off a chocking feeling under its pressure. The barrier around the stage was unable to contain it, sending the terrifying aura into the crowd, the power of the Heaven Sealing Sword Ouyang Changqing had been training in for many years now.
âOh!â
The disciples clapped and jumped. âThatâs our senior brother Changqing! He has the power to be the best of the best!â
Ye Lin didnât look remotely impressed. Shaking a bit and unleashing a draconic roar from within as flames soared. The golden flames swallowed his body, releasing a searing heat felt by even those outside the stage.
It was so bad that the tiles began to buckle and warp under the strain.
As for the stage, it split in two, half belonging to Ouyang Changqingâs icy Heaven Sealing Domain, while the other half was Ye Linâs and his blistering Decimating Golden Flame.
The two had unleashed their powers and were at an impasse.
The audience gasped, too overwhelmed with amazement to keep shouting Ouyang Changqingâs name.
They came here thinking it would be a short fight like all till now, with Ouyang Changqing reigning supreme like always. Now, however, they were met with a standstill, at least from auraâs standpoint.
Silence dominated for once, with faint whispers being heard now and then. None expected a peer of theirs would finally rise that could stand up to Ouyang Changqingâs power. This was bound to be an awesome fight!
The oldies spectating were taken aback as well, smiling and nodding.
[The best disciple in western lands lives up to his name. The fight is going to last a while, ha-ha-haâŠ]
Shangguan Qingyan pulled at Murong Xue in all her excitement, âSister Xue, itâs nothing like you said. Ouyang Changqing might not win this one!â
âOh, it does seem like it.â
Murong Xue was stunned as well, âI would never guess the dry western lands of talent would give birth to such an outstanding man.â
Shangguan Qingyan looked smug.
[What do you think of my Zhuo Fan then? Heâs from western lands tooâŠ]
âHoweverâŠâ
Murong Xue smirked, âTheir display only proved their training is the same, but not who wins. It will solely rest on the skills, cultivation method and attacks. Ouyang Changqing is the son of the strongest in northern lands, Ouyang Lingtian. Such things are nothing for him, but as for that western lands kidâŠâ
Shangguan Qingyan grinned, âWeâll just have to wait and see.â
Murong Xue looked interested for a change, her eyes no longer flat but having a spark of curiosity.
Face twitching, Ouyang Changqing looked at his opponent having matched him in aura, and frowned. He glanced at Murong Xue then at Ye Lin and clenched his fists.
[Iâve underestimated you, boy, youâre nothing like everyone I fought so far. Curses, this fight may not be the show I want it, but since sister Xue is watching, Iâm not going to let it disappoint!]
[Speed is of the essence. Iâm going to finish him off before he gets any chance to fight back and drag things on. It will only make me look like a fool.]
[I had ignored my adversaries so far, but not this one. The crux is sister Xue is watching and I cannot let it show Iâm sweating even a drop.]
Ouyang Changqing gnashed his teeth and shot for Ye Lin.
Ye Lin laughed and met him half way, âYou got the wrong guy if you think you can match me in a brawl!â
Bam!
A shocking explosion echoed as the punch and kick collided. The powerful shockwave was so strong it even made the barrier tremble.
The two jumped back to their place, but while Ye Lin stretched out his golden scale arm with a sinister smirk, Ouyang Changqingâs leg was jerking, clearly in pain from holding it up.
[God damn it! Whyâs the punkâs body so damn hard? Not even my Heaven Sealing Sword Art strengthened body can match. Is he a monster?]
Ouyang Changqing gnashed his teeth and glanced at the stunned crowd.
[Senior brother actually came out at a disadvantage in the first exchange?]
Even the oldies were amazed, âThe western lands kid is great! I had never seen Changqing so distressed.â
âFor western lands to have such an amazing talent, it must be once in millennias!â Another elder nodded.
âWestern lands is filled with talent that donât just stop with him.â A sudden speaker said.
The others flinched and gasped, âExalted Hei Ran, what are you doing here? Arenât you helping the Shangguan clan unseal the Soaring Sword? WhyâŠâ
âThat seal is not only strong but queer as well. Weâve been giving our very best for three days and three nights now yet still couldnât lift it. I came out for a breath of fresh air, letting Old Bai have a go.â Exalted Hei Ran gave a casual wave.
The others bowed, âExalted Hei Ran is working hard. But what does sir mean by that? Youâre saying western lands has more disciples like him? No way!â
âThat and then some!â
âThen why is he the bestâŠâ
âBecause the strongest has died years ago. If he was alive, I dare say heâd become the second Invincible Sword. It wouldâve given us hope of fighting the central areaâs ambition, butâŠânHei Ran grew sullen as he sighed.
The others were startled at the revelation, but also skeptical.
[Is the old guy for real, or mere bragging? Since when did western lands become a trove of talents? For even their second choice for best could push northern landsâ best disciple, what does that say about the western landsâ best?]
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