"Inner strength transforming into Innate True Yuan shouldn't be related to the body's strength, right?" Teng Qingshan pondered for a long time, shaking his head. He wasn't one to stubbornly stick to a single point. "Hmm, today is the twenty-seventh of September; tomorrow is the day of the match against Zang Feng! I'll try cultivating these next two days. If it still doesn't work... then after the match, I'll go find Master!"
There was no other way; he had to ask Zhuge Yuanhong!
He tilted his head back to look at the sky—
Sunlight filtered through the mottled shadows of the trees. Estimating the time, there was still over an hour until noon lunch.
"I haven't checked on Xiaoyu's cultivation progress these past few days either! Hmm, I should go take a look over at the core disciples' area." Teng Qingshan rose, his body's muscles suddenly shaking, generating a gust of wind from within that instantly shook the dust off his clothes. He then left his residence, crossed Longgang, and headed toward where the core disciples practiced.
"I remember Xiaoyu said her master is called 'Wang Qinglan'."
Teng Qingshan walked along the bluestone-paved path and noticed three disciples practicing sword forms in the distance, so he walked towards them. Sword light flashed; the movements of these three disciples were swift, and they were clearly capable experts. They also spotted Teng Qingshan approaching in the distance and immediately stopped their practice.
"It's Teng Qingshan!"
Zhuge Yuanhong had accepted Teng Qingshan as his personal disciple in the main hall and further appointed him as the First Commander. Almost all core disciples of the Guiyuan Sect recognized Teng Qingshan.
"Commander!" All three immediately bowed deeply.
"Do any of you know where Martial Aunt Wang Qinglan is teaching her disciples?" Teng Qingshan inquired.
"Ah, Martial Uncle Wang Qinglan is at Ya Garden in the southeast. All of Martial Uncle's disciples practice there in Ya Garden." One of the core disciples quickly pointed out the direction. Teng Qingshan nodded and headed towards Ya Garden in the southeast.
Ya Garden!
A small bridge, flowing water—it was quite elegant. To the east of the small river in Ya Garden, there was an open grassy area where a group of female disciples were practicing sword forms. On a chair nearby sat a beautiful woman dressed in a light crimson robe, occasionally instructing the female disciples in their training.
To the west of the small river, another group of female disciples were resting.
"Look at Teng Qingyu, she can't even manage her sword forms properly! Hmph, with her skill level, she should be a 28th-generation disciple! To think she was accepted under the Master's tutelage, making her the same generation as us," a girl in green sneered. Another thin, round-faced girl beside her added, "Can't be helped; who told her to have a good relationship with the Young Sect Master's daughter and have such a capable older brother."
The green-clad girl scoffed, "So what if she has connections? Among our sisters, Teng Qingyu has the weakest skill by far!"
"Alright, Second Sister, say a little less," a girl with a melon-seed face interjected. "Qingyu has only been practicing sword forms for a few months, after all. We've been practicing since childhood, for many years. It's not strange that Qingyu is weaker than us!"
"What, Seventh Sister, I heard a few of you went shopping with Teng Qingyu the day before yesterday. Having eaten her food, now you're defending her?" the green-clad girl remarked sarcastically.
The melon-seed-faced girl's expression changed, and she sneered coldly, "Yes, Martial Sister Qingyu is simple and honest, I enjoy being with her. So what? That night wasn't just a few of us sisters; even the Young Sect Master went out with us! Too bad for some people; wanting the Young Sect Master to accompany them is just daydreaming!"
"You—" The green-clad girl grew furious.
The melon-seed-faced girl turned away and sat down elsewhere, completely ignoring the other girl.
"It's just that Teng Qingyu has some money; that's why everyone flocks to her," the green-clad girl muttered under her breath. "A few months ago, Teng Qingyu was very poor. Once Teng Qingshan returned, she suddenly had money! Isn't it just because she has a capable older brother! Even Master favors her!"
Someone nearby also commented, "Second Sister, Teng Qingshan is the Sect Master's personal disciple and the First Commander! It's not surprising those sisters are close with Teng Qingyu. I suppose they are all hoping to marry Teng Qingshan to become phoenixes by clinging to a high branch."
Among the group of female disciples, while some were close to Teng Qingyu, there were also many who couldn't stand her.
Weak in strength! Having connections! Zhuge Yun, Zhuge Qing, and Teng Qingyu being so close...
These were enough reasons for some to dislike Teng Qingyu.
One must know that among the female disciples, many dreamed of marrying a powerful male disciple. Those with high status and strength, like Zhuge Yun, Teng Qingshan, and Zang Feng, were already secretly discussed by a group of female disciples. And some female disciples who were plainer or more average, knowing they had no chance, became even more jealous.
"Phoenixes? Hmph, just watch. Don't look at how glorious Teng Qingshan is now! Tomorrow, he faces Martial Brother Zang Feng in a match! I refuse to believe Teng Qingshan can stand against Martial Brother Zang Feng," the green-clad girl snorted.
"Martial Brother Zang Feng secured the Commander position long ago. Teng Qingshan is only seventeen! No matter how strong he is, he probably can't surpass Martial Brother Zang Feng," the round-faced girl agreed.
"Exactly! Once Teng Qingshan loses and loses the First Commander position, being suppressed by Martial Brother Zang Feng! Let's see if Teng Qingyu is still so smug, always mentioning her brother as if she's very proud," the green-clad girl sneered. "I heard she's from the countryside; no wonder she has no manners!"
"Second Sister, what are you so smug about? Do you think you compare to Martial Sister Qingyu? Do you think you can win over the Young Sect Master?" the melon-seed-faced girl retorted when she couldn't bear it anymore.
The green-clad girl flushed with anger, "I, I... She, Teng Qingyu, a country bumpkin, is even less worthy of the Young Sect Master! Never mind her, just watch her brother... Tomorrow, he will surely be beaten by Martial Brother Zang Feng without the strength to strike back!"
Just then—
"Commander!" Two female disciples' eyes lit up when they saw the approaching figure, and they immediately called out respectfully.
This group of resting female disciples were startled and turned to look. The green-clad girl also looked over—
They saw Teng Qingshan, dressed in dark green tight-fitting attire, walking toward them. His gaze swept over the green-clad girl like a sharp knife. The green-clad girl felt a tremor deep in her heart, as if plunged into an ice cellar, sweat beading on her forehead. Teng Qingshan only glanced once, then smiled briefly at the melon-seed-faced girl.
Afterward, he walked towards the small bridge and crossed it.
"Commander Teng walked past just now, and I didn't even dare to breathe," some of the female disciples were extremely excited.
"Commander Teng smiled at me just now," the melon-seed-faced girl was overjoyed.
The green-clad girl, however, looked somewhat pale, gazing at Teng Qingshan's retreating back with fear!
One look was enough to make her tremble!
...
Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly: "People's hearts are indeed complex. Qingyu is kind and simple, yet she's called a country girl! But it's good... at least among these female disciples, quite a few have a good relationship with Qingyu." Teng Qingshan had actually guessed that someone would inevitably be jealous of Qingyu.
"Qingyu!" Teng Qingshan called out with a smile.
"Brother!" Qingyu, who was practicing her sword, turned and ran over happily upon seeing him.
"Why are you here, Brother?" Qingyu was surprised. This was the first time Teng Qingshan had come looking for her since she began practicing her sword these past few days.
"I came to see you," Teng Qingshan said, smiling as he patted Qingyu's head.
At this moment, the beautiful woman in the light crimson robe also walked over with a smile: "Commander!"
"Martial Aunt, you can just call me Qingshan," Teng Qingshan smiled. In terms of status, the Commander of the Black Armored Army was on par with an Elder of the Guiyuan Sect. Although 'Wang Qinglan' was 26th generation, there were a large number of 26th-generation disciples in the Guiyuan Sect. Higher seniority didn't necessarily mean higher status.
After all, within the Guiyuan Sect, there were those whose seniority was four or five generations higher than the Sect Master, 'Zhuge Yuanhong'!
"I wonder how my sister Xiaoyu is learning under Martial Aunt's guidance?" Teng Qingshan inquired.
"Qingshan," the beautiful woman said with a gentle smile, "Qingyu is quite gifted and has a good grasp of sword techniques! It's just that she hasn't practiced for very long... and her inner strength is less developed. She still needs to cultivate diligently."
Teng Qingshan nodded, "Then I'll trouble Martial Aunt."
"It is my duty!" the beautiful woman replied.
Wang Qinglan and others had been in the Guiyuan Sect for a long time. They saw things clearly... Teng Qingshan, at such a young age, was the First Commander and the Sect Master's personal disciple. His future achievements in the Guiyuan Sect were hard to predict; it was very likely he would become the next Sect Master.
Establishing a good relationship now would certainly be beneficial.
Teng Qingshan looked at the happy Qingyu and understood in his heart that while those female disciples were jealous of Qingyu and looked down on her, they dared not look down on Miss Qing, because Miss Qing was the Sect Master's daughter, while Qingyu was only his sister! His own strength had not yet been truly acknowledged! If he were publicly recognized as the strongest among the younger generation—or even if he became an Innate expert!—those women, even if jealous, probably wouldn't dare voice it so openly!
"The battle with Zang Feng, I must win decisively!" Teng Qingshan thought to himself.
...
September twenty-eighth. The weather was overcast!
In the morning, the Black Armored Army training ground was packed with people. Soldiers of the Black Armored Army and core disciples of the Guiyuan Sect had all rushed there. Even Elders, Protectors, and even the Sect Master had arrived, wishing to witness this great battle! The importance of this match was self-evident!
Three layers deep, packed tight!
In the center, the already constructed arena, measuring ten Zhang in length and width, was currently empty. The dense crowd surrounding the platform stared at the dais.
"Commander Teng will surely win; he's a master on the Earth Ranking!"
"He's only seventeen! Commander Zang Feng has been in seclusion; Commander Teng might not be able to beat Commander Zang Feng!"
...
The Black Armored Army soldiers and the core disciples of the Guiyuan Sect, totaling over ten thousand people, formed a bustling, noisy crowd. Everyone was discussing the two figures in this martial contest.
One was 'Zang Feng,' previously recognized as the foremost expert of the younger generation in the Guiyuan Sect, and the other was 'Teng Qingshan,' who rose to fame in less than a year after joining the Guiyuan Sect, only seventeen years old, and powerful enough to be listed on the Earth Ranking.
Both were Commanders of the Black Armored Army!
Who would win?
This battle would determine who was the foremost expert of the younger generation in the Guiyuan Sect!
Perhaps, the next Sect Master of the Guiyuan Sect would be the victor today.
"Hoo!" A tall, dark figure leaped over the heads of the disciples onto the arena. This man was broad-shouldered and burly, standing nearly nine feet tall (two meters twenty-five)! His face had a metallic sheen, as if cast from metal. This man was the Sect Master's junior martial brother, the Second Commander of the Black Armored Army, Pang Shan!
As Pang Shan stood on the stage, the tens of thousands of people instantly quieted down.
Pang Shan swept his gaze over the crowd and roared, "This match is a challenge issued by Commander Zang Feng to Commander Teng Qingshan! The victor will become the First Commander of the Black Armored Army! Now... Commander Teng Qingshan, Commander Zang Feng, please step onto the stage!" His voice was like a thunderous roar, echoing across the entire drill ground.
...
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