The people like Mu Yun showed no fear, nor joy, as they still bore grins on their faces just like when they arrived.
In the frozen moment of time and space, even their thoughts paused at that very instant.
Until Su Changqing withdrew his hand, and the pattern beneath his feet slowly dissipated.
The bodies of Mu Yun and his people, as if cut by the sharpest blade in the world, shattered into pieces.
In the silence, the glaring blood spread, and the nauseating remains scattered everywhere.
Su Changqing stood quietly in the center of the platform, this realm had only him standing.
The world was silent.
The Saint Academy, the Imperial Court Confucian Scholars, numerous Confucian cultivators, the powerful spectators... everyone present.
All stared dumbfounded at that dream-like scene.
Nine prodigies, seven Divine Skill Realm experts, under the hands of Su Changqing who was only at the Divine Image Realm... could not withstand even a single move!
Instant kill!
With no resistance, like ants trampled to death, wiped out from the world.
Countless people were shocked, until a long time later when the uproar suddenly erupted!
"One move! Su Changqing killed nine prodigies with just one move!"
"Unbelievable! Fighting across greater realms and ending in an instant kill?"
"So terrifying! How on earth is Su Changqing cultivating to achieve such power as a Divine Image Realm?"
"Hard to believe he’s so much stronger than at the Fortune Platform..."
The discussions filled with shock echoed throughout the world.
This outcome was beyond everyone’s expectations.
Some had guessed Su Changqing would win, and others knew that if Su Changqing dared to accept, he must have strong confidence.
But no one expected Su Changqing’s power to be this terrifying.
Despite fighting across a major realm, he directly wiped out the nine prodigies!
This impact was too great for everyone.
Even those in the Saint Academy who were prepared had blank expressions.
"Chang Qing... is this strong?"
Ling Si opened her mouth wide, staring dumbfounded at the tall figure ahead.
"How could I have been worried for him?"
Shu Han, crying and laughing, shook his head, concealing the shock in his eyes, and exclaimed,
"Chang Qing’s growth speed has surpassed everyone’s expectations."
"Now... he is no longer a soft persimmon that anyone can manipulate!"
"This is a monstrous talent that has already matured!"
...
"This... so strong?"
In the corner of the crowd, Xian Banmeng’s lips parted slightly, her face showing shock and amazement.
Back when she protected him in the Liu family, Chang Qing managed to escape only due to her intervention.
Yet, in just a few months of separation, he’d grown to such an extent.
Though she’s now in the Divine Skill Realm, she has no chance of winning against the youth on the platform.
Entropy Yan said nothing, his expression calm as he looked at himself on the high platform.
His growth was fast, especially after devouring the largest source of destruction in the Chaotic Forbidden Area.
But Su Changqing’s growth speed seems not much slower than his.
"I’ll wait for you in the Divine Principle Realm,"
Su Changqing on the high platform seemed to have noticed something, turning back for a glance.
Entropy Yan smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth and nodded in acknowledgment.
"Entropy, is your strength greater, or is Chang Qing’s strength greater?"
Xian Banmeng curiously asked Entropy Yan who remained calm beside her.
"I’m stronger."
Entropy Yan’s words were calm, as if he were merely stating a fact.
Xian Banmeng’s beautiful eyes widened with surprise, "You’re stronger even as just a clone than your original?"
"Do you have a problem?" Entropy Yan irritably glanced sideways.
"Tch, why be so fierce..."
Seeing Entropy Yan’s unfriendly gaze, Xian Banmeng pursed her lips, muttering without fear.
For some reason,
Though Su Changqing was gentle and reserved, she felt a thousand miles away from him, difficult to approach.
While Entropy Yan, though cold and dismissive, felt incredibly real, easily accessible.
Perhaps because Entropy Yan is Su Changqing’s clone.
Perhaps because Entropy Yan was the second person besides Su Changqing to reject her.
In any case, these intricate feelings intertwined, making her instinctively drop her guard before Entropy Yan, showing her true self.
And seeing this, Entropy Yan didn’t speak, just the curve at the corner of his lips grew slightly larger.
...
No one paid attention to the events in the corner of the crowd.
Nor to the chubby fellow who laid down the grand formation and was cheering aloud, looking excited.
"Hahaha, Chang Qing is awesome!"
"Let’s wipe out those sour scholars. I’m backing up senior brother, today let’s kill till rivers of blood flow!"
Wu Yong’s face was flushed with excitement, craziness showed in his eyes as he stood at the heart of the formation.
The Great Emperor’s Killing Array already enveloped the entire Central Province City.
Once Chang Qing encounters a crisis, he will activate the Killing Array without hesitation!
When the time comes, the city will be awash with blood, and his fate will not be favorable.
But since he’s here, he doesn’t plan on leaving untouched!
"Come on, the more people, the better..."
Wu Yong murmured to himself with a slight tremor, bloodshot lines quietly creeping into his eyes.
And at the same moment.
Above the firmament, Shan Xing’s ears suddenly twitched, his gaze shrouded in golden light fell on the inconspicuous Wu Yong among the crowd.
"Chang Qing’s friend?"
Shan Xing narrowed his eyes, as if a flash of brilliance passed through.
"Kashyapa, assist me."
Shan Xing said nothing more and disappeared instantly after his words fell.
Kashyapa looked puzzled, but still used a Secret Technique to conceal Shan Xing’s whereabouts.
...
At this time, people’s expressions varied widely, and the sounds of shock echoed intermittently.
And just a moment later, a piercing, infinitely furious shout erupted above the literary podium.
"Yun’er!"
"Chang Qing, I want you dead!"
Seeing Mu Yun’s tragic death, Mu Ren was completely dumbstruck.
This unparalleled prodigy of the Mu family, the future he hoped for in the Confucian Way.
Unexpectedly... died so tragically at the literary grand gathering.
He didn’t even have a chance to intervene; the battle was already over.
Boundless killing intent surged, endless anger rose.
Mu Ren’s terrifying aura shook the heavens and earth as he madly rushed toward Chang Qing.
At this moment, all sense of righteousness and unity of the Confucian Way were cast aside.
Now, he only wanted Chang Qing dead!
Fierce winds howled between heaven and earth, terrifying oppression causing the firmament to crack.
Mu Ren’s white hair danced wildly, the literary weapon in his hand surged with killing intent, step by step advancing toward Chang Qing.
The rest of the Mu family followed him, filled with hate and fury.
However.
Just as Mu Ren rose to his feet, a stout figure, more like a Martial Artist, stood before him.
"Wei Cang!"
"You intend to block me!"
Seeing the person before him, Mu Ren spoke in a cold tone, brimming with killing intent.
In the past, Wei Cang and the Confucian Immortal were not in harmony, therefore he was very close to the imperial court faction.
Mu Ren and Wei Cang were also considered friends.
But in the contest for orthodoxy, Wei Cang stood unwaveringly on Li Qingchen’s side.
Friendship is friendship, but principle is principle.
In this crucial moment for unifying the Confucian Way, Wei Cang did not hold back.
"Old Mu, stop."
"I still have some face; I can plead with that young man to spare your life."
Wei Cang sighed lightly, recalling past relations.
He understood clearly, though the imperial court faction had many powerful individuals, surpassing those of the Sacred Academy.
But if it came to a real fight, the imperial court faction was bound to lose.
Mu Ren, as the leader of the imperial court faction, could live, but his cultivation would certainly be destroyed.
This was the greatest favor he could secure for his old friend.
"Hahaha, make me stop?"
Mu Ren laughed hysterically, "Wei Cang, do you even know what you’re saying?"
"My imperial court faction is teeming with strong individuals, great scholars everywhere, what does your Sacred Academy have to contest me!"
"I just regret! Regret my indecisiveness that caused Yun’er’s life to be lost in vain!"
With these words, he stared at Wei Cang with boundless killing intent,
"Now, my Mu family’s prodigy is dead, the imperial court faction is about to win, and you want me to stop now?"
"Hahaha, Wei Cang!"
"Don’t say I lack sentiment, move aside now and I won’t kill you!"
The Mu family stood firm in the sky, behind them countless strong Confucian Way individuals followed.
Among them were great scholars like Mo Lan, Yi Xian, as well as Sect Leaders and elders from various Confucian Way forces.
The terrifying aura of numerous strong individuals gathered together pervaded the heavens and earth.
The firmament trembled, the earth wailed!
The overwhelming oppressive feeling made Wei Cang and all in the Sacred Academy behind him show heavy expressions.
A battle was imminent as both sides’ auras filled the air.
But just at this moment, light footsteps sounded.
Chang Qing slowly approached the statue of the Literary Emperor, turning peacefully to face the imperial court faction crowd.
His gaze swept over everyone present, calmly speaking:
"In the past, my teacher scared you all with his might."
"Today, I’ll make you submit!"