Novel Full Chapter 26: One Round Still
Like the training grounds and library, there were nearly twenty functional departments of various sizes in the outer court.
According to the information Chen Yan obtained, both Spirit Plant Workshop Steward Zheng Fuyue and Merit Hall Ceremonial Official Zhao Yishan were originally from Panshi County in the southern region of Qingque Kingdom.
Therefore, as fellow townsmen, the two had been looking out for each other ever since they successively joined Kongshan Sect.
In fact, the reason Zhao Yishan temporarily assumed the position of Merit Hall steward was also a result of Zheng Fuyue strongly recommending him to the outer court elders and supervisors.
“I want to clarify one thing.”
Chen Yan said:
“I want to know how Steward Song’s belongings were handled?”
Upon hearing this, Sun Lu’s expression changed slightly, then he lowered his voice. After ensuring no one was paying attention to their conversation, he finally spoke:
“Why does Senior Brother Chen want to know this?”
“Don’t ask too many questions. Just tell me everything you know.”
Chen Yan said.
“As for specific details, I don’t know them either. Because Elder Zhao has been extremely secretive about matters following Steward Song’s death. I only know that behind this matter, there seems to be involvement from Qingchan Peak.”
Sun Lu said.
This was already within Chen Yan’s expectations.
It seemed the people from Qingchan Peak hadn’t discovered anything either.
“What was the relationship between Steward Song and Ceremonial Official Zhao?”
Chen Yan continued asking.
“From what I know, they were just ordinary sect mates.”
Sun Lu answered.
It seemed their friendship wasn’t deep. Most likely, Zhao Yishan knew nothing about Song Mingde’s affairs.
“Was there anyone who had a close relationship with Steward Song?”
Chen Yan asked again.
“As for that, I truly don’t know.”
Sun Lu shook his head.
An expected answer.
“When you have time later, help me investigate people who were close to Steward Song. Remember, don’t tell anyone about this matter.”
Chen Yan said.
“I understand. Then I’ll take my leave now. I wish Senior Brother Chen success in the competition.”
Sun Lu said this.
Chen Yan wasn’t worried at all that Sun Lu would leak the matters he had entrusted to him, because currently, he was indeed the reliance for both Sun Lu and his master Zheng Fuyue.
Zheng Fuyue’s current cultivation was at the late stage of Martial Spring Realm, and he was still relatively young, not yet sixty years old.
With his talent, plus the resources from the Spirit Plant Workshop, Zheng Fuyue’s breakthrough to Qi Sea Realm was only a matter of time.
He was eyeing the position of outer court elder.
Lin Qifeng would eventually leave the outer court sooner or later. Even if he didn’t return to Kongyuan Mountain, he would eventually become an elder or guest advisor at other peaks.
If no inner court cultivators were directly assigned to the outer court at that time, Lin Qifeng’s opinion would carry significant weight in selecting the next outer court elder.
This was the fundamental reason why Zheng Fuyue and Sun Lu were currying favor with Chen Yan.
Therefore, Sun Lu would absolutely not do anything that would offend him.
“Boom!”
A loud noise came from the arena, followed by exclamations from below the stage.
The second match of the second round in Xuan Group had finally ended. When both participants were nearly exhausted, one disciple punched the other’s temple, causing him to immediately collapse unconscious.
“It’s finally over!”
“Great! Before the highly anticipated match, there are always those who don’t know when to quit and stubbornly refuse to lose!”
Such voices came from the audience below the arena.
The main event of the second round in Xuan Group had finally arrived.
That was the showdown between Chen Yan and Li Fu.
Across the arena, Chen Yan saw the nine-foot giant standing on the opposite side, that terrifying giant axe standing beside him.
Even ordinary Qi Circulation Realm cultivators would find it quite difficult to wield that giant axe weighing thousands of pounds without using true energy.
On the opposite side of the arena, Li Fu was also staring directly at Chen Yan standing on the other side.
“Xuan Group, second round, third match: Outer Court Fate Inquiry Hall Elder Lin Qifeng’s personal disciple Chen Yan, versus Outer Court Disciple Li Fu!”
The manager disciple announced Chen Yan and the giant’s names in this manner.
Subsequently, the two stepped onto the arena from the east and west sides respectively.
“Brother Chen!”
After stepping onto the arena, the giant stared straight at Chen Yan standing before him, his expression carrying a hint of contempt.
And the form of address was even more disrespectful.
Chen Yan was the personal disciple of an outer court elder. Ordinary fellow disciples meeting him should properly address him as senior brother.
But Li Fu did not.
He had some understanding of Chen Yan’s existence.
Previously completely unknown, then suddenly over two months ago, he became Outer Court Elder Lin Qifeng’s personal disciple.
There could only be two explanations for this.
Either he possessed some extraordinary talent that Elder Lin valued.
Or he just got incredibly lucky.
Li Fu leaned toward the latter.
Li Fu had always been quite displeased with Chen Yan, especially after Chen Yan stole all the spotlight in the first round of the competition, which made him even angrier.
He was determined to dampen this little bastard’s arrogance and make Chen Yan understand that without his master, he was nothing.
“I heard you’ve been in our Kongshan Sect for ten years, two years less than me. You should call me senior brother.”
Li Fu said arrogantly.
“The accomplished come first. This has been the rule since ancient times.”
Chen Yan said calmly.
“Then you should definitely call me Senior Brother Li.”
Li Fu smirked disdainfully.
“Three rounds.”
Chen Yan said.
“What three rounds?”
“I promised my master that if I encountered you in the competition, I would defeat you within three rounds.”
“That’s truly impressive.”
Li Fu clearly didn’t take this seriously.
“Now, I’ve changed my mind.”
As he spoke, Chen Yan raised one finger:
“One move. I will defeat you with one move.”
“One move?”
Li Fu laughed, the muscles exposed on his body appearing even more menacing:
“And what if you can’t do it?”
“Then I will voluntarily leave my master’s tutelage.”
Chen Yan said calmly.
As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar erupted below the arena.
A vow made in front of so many disciples could not be broken.
Once these words were spoken, not to mention Lin Qifeng, even Sect Leader Yun Yichen couldn’t possibly keep him in the sect.
But Li Fu’s expression suddenly became serious, turning grave.
Something’s wrong, very wrong.
If Chen Yan were just making empty threats, he definitely wouldn’t care.
But making such a heavy vow made Li Fu’s heart begin to beat with uncertainty:
How dare he make such a boast?
“Are you ready?”
Just as Li Fu was feeling hesitant and suspicious, Chen Yan asked this.
“Bring it on!”
Li Fu gripped his axe handle tightly, adopting a stance of going all out.
In the next instant, Chen Yan forcefully pushed off the ground with his foot, rapidly closing the distance toward Li Fu.
In less than half a breath’s time, Chen Yan had crossed over ten meters and appeared in front of Li Fu.
Immediately, he swung a whip kick toward Li Fu’s abdomen.
Li Fu reacted quickly too, hurriedly raising his axe handle to block.
His giant axe, even the handle was made of solid dark iron.
However, when Chen Yan’s kick landed, Li Fu’s axe handle bent and deformed like a noodle, completely unable to withstand Chen Yan’s attack.
Subsequently, Chen Yan’s penetrating force passed through the axe handle and entered Li Fu’s strong body.
Li Fu flew straight up into the air like a stone launched from a catapult.
By the time Li Fu landed on the ground dozens of meters away from the arena, Chen Yan’s foot had just touched down.
One-hit knockout.