Chapter 13 Ouyang Changfeng

“This time, I’ve really hit an iron wall!” The outer disciple staggered back several steps, putting distance between himself and Qingxi before saying in a low voice, “We’ll remember what happened today. The green mountains will not change, the rivers will… no, how dare you!”

He could only stare in disbelief as Qingxi suddenly unleashed the Gale Palm. Wind, concentrated like a pillar, swept forward and arrived in an instant.

“Why aren’t you following the rules?” The outer disciple ground his teeth, confusion swirling in his heart. Under normal circumstances, having spoken such words, he’d already conceded and should have been allowed to leave. Who could have expected this newly promoted registered disciple to strike again?

“Boulder Palm!”

In desperation, the disciple raised his hands. Vital energy gathered before him, transforming into two massive earthen palms, forming a wall that blocked the incoming gale.

Through his fingers, he saw Qingxi charging like a fierce leopard.

With a muffled thud, the outer disciple clutched his abdomen, his body arched as he was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground and joining Zhou Hua in the “lying corpses” congregation.

After quite some time, the disciple finally managed to point a trembling finger at Qingxi, cold sweat beading on his brow. “You… you’re unreasonable!”

Qingxi glanced at him, replying coolly, “I was merely defending myself. You have only yourselves to blame for daring to bully us.”

“We’re backed by many senior outer disciples. This matter… will not end so simply!” Zhou Hua, who had been the first to fall, had now mostly recovered his ability to move.

Yet, despite his words, he no longer dared lift a hand. In the battle just now, it was clear that Qingxi held the advantage in speed, strength, reflexes, and mastery of martial techniques. The three of them were not at their peak; continuing to fight would only lead to further disgrace.

The idea of retreat took root quietly in his heart.

Qingxi glanced at Zhou Hua, feeling no fear. Over the past few days, he had gained a deeper understanding of the structure of the Lingyuan Sect.

Any disciple who reached the twentieth level of Qi Refinement could be promoted to the inner sect. Therefore, no matter how powerful an outer disciple, none would exceed the twentieth level.

Moreover, with Elder Tu Yongsheng supporting him, he had no reason to fear the outer disciples. Besides, after displaying enough strength today, he would surely gain Elder Tu Yongsheng’s attention.

Thinking this, Qingxi’s gaze drifted, almost unconsciously, to a distant rooftop.

“That boy has noticed us. Come, let’s go over.”

Tu Yongsheng laughed heartily. Along with the gray-haired elder, they leapt more than ten meters in a single bound and soon landed in front of the Hall of Registered Disciples.

“Greetings, Elders!”

As senior disciples, Zhou Hua and his companions naturally recognized Tu Yongsheng and the gray-haired elder. Their eyelids twitched, especially upon seeing the gray-haired elder, and their bodies seemed to bear a crushing weight. They wondered why this reclusive inner elder had appeared here.

“Hmph. Can’t even handle a registered disciple? How disgraceful.”

Tu Yongsheng shot Zhou Hua and the others a glare, silencing them instantly. Today, they had come to represent the senior disciples and assert their authority over the newcomers, only to be defeated and humiliated instead. Once word of this spread, they’d lose all standing among the outer disciples.

But Tu Yongsheng cared little for their feelings. His gaze turned to the gray-haired elder. “Elder Ouyang, how do you find the youth I recommended?”

Elder Ouyang? Recommended?

All the registered disciples looked toward the gray-haired elder known as Elder Ouyang.

As for Qingxi, joy blossomed in his heart—he had wagered correctly. When the two elders had first appeared on the rooftop, the system’s assistant had already warned him of powerful experts nearby. He recalled that Tu Yongsheng had promised to recommend him to an inner elder. Thus, Qingxi had not held back, determined to prove his worth.

Now, hearing Tu Yongsheng’s words, he knew his guess was right.

“Young man, what is your name?”

Elder Ouyang’s gaze reflected a hint of appreciation. To master two martial arts to perfection within seven days, and to defeat three outer disciples at the tenth level of Qi Refinement with only a ninth-level cultivation—such talent was truly outstanding.

In Elder Ouyang’s eyes, Qingxi’s perception surpassed that of an ordinary spiritual root, rivaling even the gifted with genuine spiritual roots.

“Disciple Qingxi greets Elder Ouyang.”

He inadvertently accessed Elder Ouyang’s profile and was immediately startled.

[Race: Human]
[Name: Ouyang Changfeng]
[Spiritual Root: Quasi-spiritual]
[Cultivation: Peak Mid-stage Innate]
[Age: 125]

[Note: An inner elder of Lingyuan Sect, never before taken a disciple, afflicted with a hidden ailment and pure, intense sword intent. If the ailment is cured, his cultivation could advance to late-stage Innate.]

“Quasi-spiritual?”

Qingxi was surprised and quickly asked the assistant, “How can there be a quasi-spiritual root?”

The assistant replied, “A quasi-spiritual root is one that, at its inception, should have been spiritual, but something went awry and its grade fell slightly. If tested with the bone-root stele, it would register as ordinary, but in truth, its cultivation speed is only slightly slower than a true spiritual root.”

“Is that so?”

Qingxi’s eyes flashed. “Could it be that Elder Ouyang Changfeng’s hidden ailment caused this?”

“That’s not certain. To know the root cause, you’d need to examine it up close,” the assistant replied.

Seeing Qingxi lost in thought, Ouyang Changfeng smiled gently. “So your name is Qingxi. When Elder Tu recommended you, I assumed you were just an ordinary youth. Who could have expected such remarkable talent? Would you be willing to take me as your master?”

“Take… take you as my master?”

Not only Qingxi, but Tu Yongsheng and all the other disciples were stunned.

Especially Zhou Hua and his companions—their shock went beyond surprise to utter disbelief.

As senior disciples, they were well aware of Ouyang Changfeng’s strength. He was a peak mid-stage Innate inner elder, ranking in the top ten among the inner elders—an important figure in the entire Lingyuan Sect.

And yet, such a powerful Elder Ouyang was actively seeking a disciple!

Tu Yongsheng gazed at Ouyang Changfeng, his eyes burning with meaning. “It seems Elder Ouyang has resolved to settle that old score at last.”

Others might not understand, but as Ouyang Changfeng’s close friend, Tu Yongsheng was privy to a certain secret. That was why he had recommended Qingxi to him. Hence, the two elders had arrived together at the Hall of Registered Disciples.

“An elder wants to take me as a disciple?”

Even Qingxi, the one at the center of all this, found it beyond his expectations. He had only hoped to gain the favor of an inner elder by showcasing his strength, never daring to dream of being accepted as a disciple.

Happiness had indeed come too suddenly.

“Don’t rejoice too soon. I have extremely strict requirements for my disciples. If you cannot pass my tests, you will gain nothing but the title of disciple, without the true substance of that relationship.”

Ouyang Changfeng’s tone shifted. The smile faded from his face, replaced by solemn gravity.