Having acknowledged Xiao Chen’s extraordinary talent, Canglong said nothing more.
Of course, he had no intention of targeting Xiao Chen.
After giving Xiao Chen a deep look, Canglong fell silent, while Cangyun said with a smile, “Xiao Chen, although Senior Brother has already announced he’s taking you as his Closed-door Disciple, there are still many trials awaiting you if you wish to successfully complete your apprenticeship.”
As he spoke, Cangyun calmly swept his gaze over the many disciples below.
It wasn’t just Outer Disciples who had come for Xiao Chen’s apprenticeship ceremony; many Inner Sect Disciples had also gathered, and their gazes toward Xiao Chen were just as hostile.
‘I understand what Cangyun means.
Ever since word spread that I was to become Cangxuan’s disciple, many have felt I’m not worthy.
The best way to shut them up is to display talent and strength that will leave them utterly convinced, proving that Cangxuan didn’t make a mistake in choosing me.’
Without another word, Xiao Chen bowed to Cangxuan and the other two masters.
He then walked down from the high platform to stand before the crowd.
Sweeping his gaze over the nearly ten thousand Sword Pavilion disciples, he calmly said,
“I know you’re not convinced, and I know you’re jealous of me.
So, how about this?
Today, I’ll give you all a chance.
Anyone who objects can step forward.
As long as you suppress your cultivation to match mine, anyone—be it an Outer Disciple, an Inner Sect Disciple, or even a Core Disciple—can challenge me.
If I lose even a single match, today’s apprenticeship ceremony is void.
What do you say?”
Xiao Chen’s declaration that anyone could challenge him at the same cultivation level instantly caused an uproar.
A wave of angry curses rose from the crowd.
“Xiao Chen, you really think you’re someone important?
You’ve barely entered the Outer Sect, yet you dare spout such nonsense…”
“Exactly!
Acting as if he’ll take on all comers.”
“Such a frog in a well.
To think he’d even dare to provoke a Core Disciple!
Don’t you know that even if a Core Disciple suppresses their cultivation to your level, they can still completely annihilate you?”
Xiao Chen’s words sparked widespread dissatisfaction among the disciples, though it was a dissatisfaction rooted more in jealousy than anything else.
They simply couldn’t understand why a new Outer Disciple could command the entire East Sword Pavilion’s attention with his every word and deed.
Facing the torrent of provocations and slander, Xiao Chen remained calm.
The Storage Ring on his hand flashed, and in an instant, the Three-Foot Cyan Peak was in his grasp.
With the sword’s tip angled toward the ground, he said indifferently,
“If all you can do is talk, then save your breath.
If you want to stop me from becoming a disciple, then show me your strength.
At the same cultivation level, if anyone can defeat me, I will immediately give up on this apprenticeship.”
As his voice fell, strands of Sword Qi began to gather around him.
A continuous series of sharp, tearing sounds filled the air.
Sensing the Sword Qi emanating from Xiao Chen, the surrounding crowd quickly fell silent.
To have comprehended Sword Qi at only eighteen years old—many were stunned.
Though they were jealous and even hostile toward Xiao Chen, they had to admit his talent was truly heaven-defying.
Even the three great prodigies of the Outer Sect had only comprehended Sword Qi after they turned twenty, yet Xiao Chen had already done so at eighteen.
Seeing Xiao Chen take the initiative to issue a challenge, Cangyun, on the high platform, smiled slightly and said, “Senior Brother, this boy is quite good.
His talent and temperament are both excellent.”
“But of course.
Could this old man’s judgment be wrong?” Cangxuan replied without a shred of modesty.
‘He really can’t take a compliment.’
Cangxuan beamed, but Canglong quickly cut in sarcastically, “Yes, your judgment is good.
But just look at your other two disciples.
One is a notorious she-dragon, and the other is a wastrel so lazy he’d never give an ounce more effort than required.”
Hearing Canglong’s words, the smile on Cangxuan’s face instantly vanished.
Even Cangyun, at his side, shook his head helplessly.
It was true that Cangxuan had a good eye.
The two disciples he had taken so far had both become prominent figures in the Sword Pavilion, their talent immense.
But their personalities…
sigh…
‘It was hard to know what to even make of Cangxuan’s other two disciples.’ In any case, they gave even Cangyun, the Pavilion Master of the East Sword Pavilion, a massive headache.
Clearly not wanting to dwell on the matter, the three masters turned their attention back to Xiao Chen.
Just then, the first challenger appeared.
It was none other than one of the Outer Sect’s three great prodigies, Zhao Kuo.
Most of the disciples had not let the flames of jealousy completely cloud their judgment.
Those with ordinary strength and talent didn’t have the courage to challenge Xiao Chen.
He had made it perfectly clear: anyone could challenge him, but they had to suppress their cultivation to the Small Success in the Yellow Extreme Realm.
At an equal level of cultivation, an ordinary disciple would be no match for Xiao Chen.
Thus, most of them weren’t about to step forward and make a fool of themselves.
Across the entire Outer Sect, likely only the three great prodigies dared to face Xiao Chen in a battle of same-level cultivation.
Zhao Kuo stepped slowly out from the crowd, his expression severe.
“Xiao Chen, sometimes, the higher you stand, the harder you fall.
As a newcomer to the Outer Sect, you shouldn’t be so high-profile.”
Hearing Zhao Kuo’s words, Xiao Chen gave a helpless reply.
“I didn’t want this either.
Who knew that just trying to become a disciple would incite such outrage?
If I hadn’t done this, would any of you have let the ceremony proceed?
How about I admit I’m wrong, and you all just let this happen?
What do you say?”
‘To be honest, I didn’t want to be this high-profile, but I had no choice.
So many people want to see me humiliated.
It’s better to seize the initiative than to sit back and take it.
At least this way, I’m in control, just like how I’ve set the rules now to only accept challenges from those at the same cultivation level.’
At Xiao Chen’s words, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Kuo’s eyes.
His Storage Ring flashed, and his sword appeared in his hand.
Gripping the longsword, Zhao Kuo also unleashed his own Sword Qi while suppressing his cultivation to the Small Success in the Yellow Extreme Realm.
He spoke in a cold voice,
“You’re not the only one in the Outer Sect who has comprehended Sword Qi.
And when I spoke of being high-profile, I wasn’t referring to your current attitude.
From the very beginning, you should have understood that you are not worthy of being the Dean’s disciple.
At least, not right now.”
Without waiting for a reply, Zhao Kuo shot forward, charging straight at Xiao Chen.
As someone who had also comprehended Sword Qi, Zhao Kuo’s attacks were ferocious and wild.
As one of the Outer Sect’s three great prodigies, Zhao Kuo’s fame was well-earned; he had genuine skill.
Xiao Chen did not underestimate him, but he also had no intention of wasting time.
As Zhao Kuo lunged with a thrust, Xiao Chen neither dodged nor evaded, meeting the incoming sword with a thrust of his own.
The tips of their swords slammed into each other, and enveloped in Sword Qi, they produced a constant, grinding sound.
As their swords locked in a head-on clash, Xiao Chen spoke calmly, “Senior Brother Zhao Kuo, your Sword Qi has yet to stabilize.
It hasn’t even reached the Entry Realm.
In a battle of Sword Qi, you are no match for me.”
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