The entire arena fell silent.
What was originally thought to be a clash between strong opponents turned out to be another one-sided domination without any ability to fight back, something no one had anticipated.
Chen Yan's strikes were even heavier than in the first round.
Just as Chen Yan had stated, he effortlessly defeated Li Fu within a single move.
Not only the ordinary outer sect disciples watching from below, but even the inner court elders seated on the viewing stand, along with disciples from various peaks and the gatekeepers, were all deeply shocked in their hearts.
With their own level back when they were in the Body Forging Realm, could they have easily defeated Li Fu in a single move?
Almost none of the inner sect cultivators present dared to claim they had one hundred percent certainty.
Except for one person.
Qingchan Peak Chief Disciple, Chu Xiyao.
She was truly Kongshan Sect's undisputed favored daughter of heaven.
But if comparing Chen Yan to Chu Xiyao, wasn't that actually high praise for Chen Yan?
Lin Qifeng had good judgment, picking up an exceptionally talented disciple.
This was the common thought among the inner court elders present.
But in reality, the most confused person present at this moment was Lin Qifeng himself.
What exactly was going on with this kid?
Chen Yan stepped down from the arena platform and walked slowly toward the viewing stand.
None of the people present continued to praise Chen Yan as they had in the first round, instead they all watched him with eyes that looked at him like he was a monster.
It seemed the final winner of the Body Forging division in this year's outer court competition had already been decided.
However, the winner of the Body Forging division was just a winner.
Taking the outer court competition as an example, only the final winner of the Qi Circulation Realm could be called the champion.
Similarly, in the inner sect competition, only the final winner of the Qi Sea Realm could be called the champion.
Chen Yan also easily won his third round match, to the point where even on the viewing stand, no gamblers were taking bets on Chen Yan's matches anymore.
With odds of one to zero, what fun was there in that?
Today's Body Forging division still had one final round to determine the final list of top sixteen competitors.
The matches after the top sixteen would begin one by one tomorrow.
Chen Yan's opponent in the final round was an unknown, obscure outer sect disciple with dark skin and short stature who looked very simple and honest.
His cultivation was at late-stage Body Forging Realm, not even having reached the peak stage.
Before he drew Chen Yan in the lottery, this person had relied on lucky draws, consistently facing weaker opponents in sparring matches, which allowed him to reach the fourth round.
But clearly, his luck had run out this round.
As the bronze gong sounded, the fourth round match officially began.
Everyone originally thought this would be another instant knockout that ended quickly, but the development of events once again took everyone by surprise.
The dark-skinned outer sect disciple took a white cloth from his chest pocket, then threw it on the ground.
"I forfeit."
The disciple smiled honestly, then spoke.
Since there was no chance of winning anyway, why bother taking a beating?
No one thought he was a coward; instead, everyone found it perfectly reasonable.
The simple and honest dark-skinned disciple walked forward a few steps, then bowed and cupped his hands toward Chen Yan:
"Disciple Zhang Xishun pays respects to Senior Brother Chen!"
His attitude was extremely respectful and reverent, placing himself in a very low position, as if he couldn't wait to kneel down and lick Chen Yan's shoes the next second.
"...Hello."
Being treated like this in front of everyone made Chen Yan quite awkward.
"Today this disciple personally witnessed Senior Brother Chen achieving three consecutive victories, and my admiration for you flows like a river, endless and ceaseless..."
Chen Yan was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected this disciple who looked so simple and honest to be so skilled at flattery.
"I humbly request Senior Brother Chen to grant me the opportunity, after today's competition concludes completely, to provide some guidance on my cultivation."
Zhang Xishun said this.
"Alright."
After hesitating for a moment, Chen Yan agreed.
Chen Yan was definitely not someone difficult to approach or unreasonable.
Perhaps his experiences from over twenty reincarnations, and his previous actions to conceal his true cultivation level, made him appear somewhat distant and cold.
But he simply couldn't refuse such requests.
Because the fawning attitude of the simple and honest dark-skinned disciple before him seemed to remind him of his former self—over a hundred years old yet still only at mid-stage Qi Circulation Realm.
Chen Yan understood too well this feeling of seeking help from others because you wanted to save yourself.
Because in that lifetime, before his lifespan was about to expire, Chen Yan had also humbly and fawningly asked an inner sect disciple he encountered how to break through from the Qi Circulation Realm to the Martial Spring Realm as quickly as possible.
Who didn't want to progress? Who didn't want to live better?
"Thank you, Senior Brother Chen!"
Zhang Xishun was momentarily stunned, then quickly showed an overjoyed expression.
"It's nothing."
Chen Yan said with a slight smile.
Now, he was truly a Martial Spring Realm cultivator.
After stepping into the Martial Spring Realm, Chen Yan's understanding of the Kongshan Art had naturally become much deeper, so providing guidance to a Body Forging Realm disciple would definitely be effortless.
As for tomorrow's continuation of the outer court competition, Chen Yan didn't need to worry about it at all.
As a genuine Martial Spring Realm cultivator, handling a few Body Forging Realm disciples would naturally be easily accomplished.
...
That night.
Following Zhang Xishun's request, Chen Yan went to the open space in front of the outer court market.
While still quite far away, Chen Yan spotted that dark, thin, simple and honest figure standing in front of the market.
"Senior Brother Chen!"
Seeing Chen Yan appear, Zhang Xishun's face lit up with joy, then he quickly came forward to greet him.
"You came quite early."
Chen Yan said.
"Not early, not early, I just arrived too!"
Zhang Xishun said.
"Speak, what confusions have you encountered recently in your cultivation process? Since we're both Body Forging Realm cultivators, I should be able to help."
Chen Yan said.
"Reporting to Senior Brother Chen, I have now reached late-stage Body Forging Realm cultivation, and I'm getting closer and closer to the stage of opening meridians and drawing in true energy."
Opening meridians and drawing energy was the mark of a Body Forging Realm disciple officially entering the late stage.
When true energy could complete a full circulation within the body's meridians, one would become a Qi Circulation Realm cultivator, able to begin using true energy to perform some simple techniques.
"Recently I often can feel the presence of free-flowing true energy within my body, but whenever I try to guide it into my meridians, I experience a particularly sluggish and obstructed feeling."
Zhang Xishun continued.
"That's normal, because you haven't opened your meridians yet. Keep trying and persist with body forging—it could take as little as a few days or as long as half a year, and you'll be able to draw energy into your meridians."
Chen Yan explained.
He had gone through this stage himself before.
"So that's how it is, then..."
Following this, Zhang Xishun asked Chen Yan several more questions about cultivation, and Chen Yan answered each one of them.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Chen. I've basically finished asking about cultivation problems. Today has truly been very beneficial."
Zhang Xishun said with cupped hands.
"No problem, then let's stop here for today..."
"However, I still have something else to ask."
Zhang Xishun raised his head and said with a smile:
"I've heard that Senior Brother Chen has recently been investigating the matter of Merit Hall Steward Song?"