For a moment, the atmosphere in Shoujing Hall grew subtly tense.
Song Daren and his group cast strange glances at Qi Hao. Who would have thought that this Senior Brother from Dragon Head Peak harbored such intentions?
Guiding Lin Jingyu to make a mistake?
Causing the head of Dazhu Peak to dislike him?
Why would Qi Hao do such a thing? Had Lin Jingyu offended him? Or…
Could it be that this Senior Brother from Dragon Head Peak felt threatened by Lin Jingyu?
Heh.
It made sense when you thought about it.
Qi Hao had cultivated for nearly a century, yet he was still only at the ninth layer of Jade Spirit Realm. But Lin Jingyu? In less than five years of cultivation, he had already reached the fifth layer of Jade Spirit.
Give him another decade, and he might catch up to Qi Hao.
By then, Lin Jingyu would be a strong contender to become the next head of Dragon Head Peak.
Naturally, Qi Hao would feel wary.
Tian Buyi gave Qi Hao a deep, meaningful look.
This man's schemes run deep.
To think he'd dare to manipulate and use a peak's head?
Heh.
Truly a disciple of that old schemer Cang Song.
At that moment, Qi Hao's face paled upon hearing Ji Changfeng's words. He opened his mouth to explain, but before he could, Lin Jingyu stepped forward, frowning.
"Ji Changfeng, what nonsense are you spouting?" Lin Jingyu snapped. "How could Senior Brother Qi possibly harm me? Don't slander others without proof!"
His words were brash, as expected from a straightforward youth with a one-track mind, oblivious to being manipulated.
Ji Changfeng couldn't be bothered to argue with him.
But an apology was still owed…
Boom—
With a casual wave of his hand, Ji Changfeng unleashed a tremendous surge of sword intent, pressing down on Lin Jingyu with overwhelming force.
"Kneel and apologize to my Master and Shi Niang," Ji Changfeng said coolly.
"You…" Lin Jingyu's face flushed red.
He wanted to retort, but the sudden, unrelenting sword intent crushed him, forcing him to his knees with a heavy thud.
Thud—
Lin Jingyu knelt on the ground, his face burning with humiliation. He struggled to rise, trying to resist the sword intent, but…
Was that even possible?
Rip—
The sharp sword intent pricked at his skin, sapping his strength entirely.
Ji Changfeng turned slightly, his calm gaze settling on Qi Hao. "And you? Anything else to say?"
Qi Hao's heart jolted.
This strength…
At least the ninth layer of Jade Spirit Realm!
How could Ji Changfeng, who had only been a disciple for five years, possess such power?
Terrifying!
Truly a monstrous genius who reached the first layer of Jade Spirit in a single night!
Without hesitation, Qi Hao bowed deeply, kneeling before Tian Buyi and his wife. "Disciple Qi Hao failed in guiding Junior Brother Lin, causing him to violate Dazhu Peak's rules. I beg Martial Uncle Tian and Martial Uncle Su for forgiveness."
As he spoke, he shot a quick glance at Lin Jingyu, signaling him to admit his mistake.
There was no choice.
The situation was stacked against them.
Worse, Ji Changfeng had seen through his little schemes as if they were laid bare.
"I won't!" Lin Jingyu shouted, his face red with defiance. "Why should I apologize? I'm not apologizing to that fat—"
Though pinned to the ground, his mouth was still free.
Qi Hao's expression changed instantly.
His own subtle scheming was one thing—those were minor matters.
But Lin Jingyu calling Tian Buyi a "fatso"? That was no small offense.
Sure enough, Tian Buyi, who had remained silent, darkened at the insult.
Before he could speak, Ji Changfeng's expression turned cold. "Insolent!"
Boom—
His sword intent erupted, and with a single motion, he sent Lin Jingyu flying out of Shoujing Hall.
"Junior Brother Lin!" Qi Hao's face paled.
Ignoring decorum, he rushed after Lin Jingyu.
He had been tasked by his master to accompany Lin Jingyu on this visit to Dazhu Peak. If anything happened to Lin Jingyu, Qi Hao would face consequences.
Whoosh!
In a flash, Qi Hao reached Lin Jingyu, catching him.
Boom—
But in that instant, the sword intent clinging to Lin Jingyu shifted, surging toward Qi Hao.
"Hm?" Qi Hao's expression hardened.
Whoosh!
He raised his Ice Sword, conjuring a wall of ice with a spell.
Crack!
The sword intent struck, shattering the ice wall instantly.
Qi Hao glanced at Lin Jingyu with concern. Fortunately, Lin Jingyu seemed unharmed.
In truth, even if Qi Hao hadn't caught him, Lin Jingyu would've been fine. Ji Changfeng hadn't used much force—just enough to send him flying.
"Ji Changfeng, you've gone too far!" Lin Jingyu roared, his face flushed.
Gripping his magical weapon, he charged at Ji Changfeng, looking ready to fight to the death.
"Junior Brother Lin!" Qi Hao reached out to stop him but failed to hold him back.
"Heh." Ji Changfeng gave a faint smile, his gaze cold as he looked at Lin Jingyu and Qi Hao. "Both of you, come at me together."
With a wave of his hand, he sent a surge of sword qi that knocked Lin Jingyu unconscious on the spot.
"…" The onlookers were stunned.
Zhang Xiaofan ran forward, worried. "Jingyu…"
Caught between his Seventh Senior Brother, who often guided him, and his childhood friend, Zhang Xiaofan was torn, unsure whom to support.
Qi Hao's expression grew grave.
He glanced back at Shoujing Hall, where Tian Buyi stood impassively, showing no intention of intervening.
Gritting his teeth, Qi Hao raised his Ice Sword and bowed to Ji Changfeng. "Then, I ask for Junior Brother Ji's instruction."
Both are at the ninth layer of Jade Spirit, and Qi Hao refuses to believe he cannot match Ji Changfeng.
Monstrous genius or not, he's only been cultivated for five years.
How could he compare to me?
Ji Changfeng, cradling the divine swords Moxue and Zhanlong, smiled silently.
Ninth layer of Jade Spirit?
Not even worth drawing my sword.
"Why doesn't Junior Brother Ji draw his sword?" Qi Hao frowned.
Ji Changfeng's smile remained faint. "Senior Brother Qi, make your move."
Why not draw my sword?
Because you're not worthy.
Qi Hao's face darkened. "If that's the case, Junior Brother Ji, be careful."
With a flourish of his Ice Sword, he unleashed a spell, summoning a barrage of ice spikes that shot toward Ji Changfeng.
Whoosh—
Ji Changfeng waved his hand lightly, murmuring, "Two Sleeves, Green Serpent."
Boom!
A powerful sword intent erupted, shattering the ice spikes into dust.
The sword intent sang, transforming into a dancing green serpent that surged toward Qi Hao.
"Not good…" Qi Hao's face paled.
He raised his Ice Sword to defend, but the sword intent was too fast, reaching him in the blink of an eye and sending him flying.
Since this was merely a spar, Ji Changfeng hadn't used much force.
Besides, Qi Hao was Cang Song's disciple. Even if he was in the wrong, Ji Changfeng couldn't go too far.
Got to give Martial Uncle Cang Song some face.
After all, over the years, Cang Song's been nothing but kind to me, calling me "Nephew Changfeng" like I'm closer than his own disciples.
"Junior Brother Ji…" Qi Hao staggered to his feet, trembling. "Impressive swordsmanship."
His eyes held a trace of fear. This strength… Could he have broken through to the Upper Spirit Realm?
Impossible, right?
Qi Hao's face was grim as he bowed. "I've lost this spar. I hope at the Seven Peaks Tournament, I can challenge Junior Brother Ji again."
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly.
Turning away, he left Qi Hao with a solitary, proud silhouette. His cold voice echoed in everyone's ears.
"Challenge me again? Heh."
"Those I defeat are never considered my rivals. I'll give you time to catch up…"
"Until you can no longer even see my shadow."
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