Chapter 621 - 621: Both Lost

After Chu Qingyun's group of four arrived, Zhu Zhijing and the other two elders immediately went to greet them and brought them to their side.

This was, of course, a precaution to stop the Celestial Sword Sect from lashing out in a fit of shame and anger.

However, the members of the Celestial Sword Sect did no such thing.

"Chu Qingyun, excellent! You've done very well!"

Elder Zhu Zhijing praised Chu Qingyun, his face beaming with a smile.

At such close range, he could tell at a glance that the treasure emanating intense Primordial Power fluctuations was on Chu Qingyun.

Besides, among all the disciples from the Saint Extreme Sect, only Chu Qingyun had the ability to seize such a treasure.

"Um… Elder Zhu, I don't think the four of us were the first to arrive…"

Chu Qingyun said, looking a bit confused.

He could clearly see dozens of Outer Disciples from various sects over there. He didn't understand why Zhu Zhijing and the others were smiling with such satisfaction, even coming to greet them personally.

"Haha, you weren't the fastest, but you're still within the top hundred, so you've definitely passed."

Zhu Zhijing laughed but didn't mention the bet with Lei Jing, nor did he demand an apology.

After all, the Celestial Sword Sect was much more powerful than the Saint Extreme Sect.

Given Elder Zhu Zhijing's temperament, he had little interest in such petty squabbles. If Lei Jing hadn't been so aggressive earlier, he never would have accepted such a wager on behalf of the sect.

Now, he just wanted to let the matter drop quietly.

Lei Jing's eyes, however, glittered, a clear sign that he was plotting something.

"By the way, Chu Qingyun, what exactly did you obtain in the Withered Wood Forest? Why is it emitting such distinct Primordial Power fluctuations?"

An Outer Elder next to Zhu Zhijing asked.

Chu Qingyun gave a wry smile and took out the Martial King Essence Pill. "It's just a Martial King Essence Pill. For some reason, though, its Primordial Power fluctuations are incredibly strong, and I can't put it into my Storage Ring."

Zhu Zhijing took the Martial King Essence Pill and examined it carefully.

Then, he gathered a wisp of Primordial Power at his fingertip and lightly brushed it across the Martial King Essence Pill.

The Primordial Power fluctuations from the pill instantly subsided, returning to a normal level. From even a short distance away, they were now completely undetectable.

"Someone placed a Restriction on this Martial King Essence Pill to amplify its Primordial Power fluctuations and prevent it from being placed inside storage treasures."

"I've removed the Restriction. It's just a normal Martial King Essence Pill now."

Zhu Zhijing said, handing the Martial King Essence Pill back to Chu Qingyun.

Chu Qingyun took it back, and with a single thought, stored the Martial King Essence Pill in his Storage Ring, completely cutting off all traces of its Qi and Primordial Power fluctuations.

With that, Chu Qingyun could finally relax.

The elders of the great sects might not think much of this Martial King Essence Pill, but to Chu Qingyun, it was the greatest prize of his journey.

With this Martial King Essence Pill, he would definitely have no problem breaking through to become a ninth-level Martial Spirit.

It would even be immensely helpful when he attempted to break through to the Martial King Realm.

Just then, Pei Yongqing and his group, who had been behind Chu Qingyun, finally broke through the last of the withered wood monsters' obstruction and reached the center of the forest.

They hadn't been far behind Chu Qingyun's group to begin with.

Each of the dozen or so disciples was incredibly powerful. Working together, they made short work of the withered wood monsters, who were utterly annihilated.

The moment Elder Lei Jing of the Celestial Sword Sect saw Pei Yongqing, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"Pei Yongqing, you failed to catch Chu Qingyun, didn't you?"

"Chu Qingyun, we don't have three hundred people yet. The first part of the competition for Inner Sect qualification isn't over, which means the ownership of that Martial King Essence Pill has yet to be decided!"

"You and Pei Yongqing fight. Whoever wins gets the Martial King Essence Pill!"

Lei Jing said suddenly.

"Elder Lei, that's outrageous! They've already reached the finish line, how can you say it's not decided?"

"It's true that the first part of the trial isn't over for everyone, but Chu Qingyun's group has reached the end. For them as individuals, their part is finished!"

The two Outer Elders from the Saint Extreme Sect both spoke up to protest.

As Outer Elders, they were at least somewhat familiar with the most famous, top-tier ninth-level Martial Spirits of the various sects.

And they had heard the name Pei Yongqing of the Celestial Sword Sect more than just once or twice.

"This is Celestial Sword Sect territory. When I say it isn't over, it isn't over!"

"Chu Qingyun, do you have any objections!?"

Lei Jing stared at Chu Qingyun, his gaze leaving no room for argument.

Zhu Zhijing took a step forward, about to stand in front of Chu Qingyun.

But Chu Qingyun spoke first. "Elder Lei, I have no objection. You should probably ask Pei Yongqing if he has one, though."

Hm?

Puzzled, Lei Jing looked over at Pei Yongqing.

Pei Yongqing could only manage a wry smile. "Reporting to Elder Lei," he said, "I already tried to take the Martial King Essence Pill… and was defeated by Chu Qingyun."

Hearing this, an uproar erupted from the surrounding crowd.

Even the three elders from the Saint Extreme Sect, who were already aware of Chu Qingyun's strength, were astonished.

After all, they had only thought Chu Qingyun had the strength to *fight* Pei Yongqing, not that he had already *defeated* him!

And from the looks of it, Pei Yongqing had been utterly convinced by his defeat and had no intention of a rematch.

Elder Lei's face twitched as he fought to suppress the rage boiling in his heart.

He was furious, but he didn't want to take it out on Pei Yongqing.

Pei Yongqing possessed a Tier Five Martial Soul and had long been highly regarded by many elders in the Celestial Sword Sect's Inner Sect.

He also possessed a "heart for the blade"—a trait that had even drawn the attention of several of the Celestial Sword Sect's Supreme Elders, who considered it a talent even greater than a Tier Five Martial Soul!

Lei Jing took a deep breath, looked at Pei Yongqing, and asked, "What about He Liang? Do you know roughly where he is? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

With Pei Yongqing defeated, he could only pin all his hopes on He Liang.

Although he didn't believe He Liang was necessarily stronger than Pei Yongqing, He Liang had the Celestial Sword Three Techniques as a trump card, giving him a chance at victory.

"Well… reporting to Elder Lei, I'm afraid He Liang won't be able to pass. He was severely injured by Chu Qingyun and likely hasn't recovered yet."

Pei Yongqing hesitated for a moment but still told the truth.

Instantly, everyone in the vicinity was once again utterly shocked.

He Liang was defeated too!

The Celestial Sword Sect's two geniuses, competing in the Land of Trial on their own home turf, had both been defeated—and by the very same person!

Although Chu Qingyun and his group weren't the first to arrive at the central area, he had seized the Martial King Essence Pill. In their hearts, everyone knew he was the true champion of the Withered Wood Forest's trial.

Many elders from the surrounding sects shot mocking, playful glances at the members of the Celestial Sword Sect.