Some gasped, others rubbed their eyes furiously, and one person asked in a trembling voice, “Was that Senior Brother Han Chou who was sent flying?”

As veterans of the Outer Sect, they knew Han Chou’s strength better than anyone.

And the better they knew it, the more shocked they were now.

Su Bing, on the other hand, was also horrified, but she was far more composed than the others. No, to be precise, it wasn’t composure—it was just that she was used to it.

“Senior Brother Chen has always been the kind of monster who can defeat secret techniques without using any himself. Among those of the Same Tier, he’s naturally invincible.”

Su Bing took a deep breath, still unable to suppress her amazement.

“But Senior Brother Han Chou was infinitely close to the Nine Pillars of Blood Qi. He shouldn’t have been defeated so completely, without even a chance to fight back… All I can say is, Senior Brother Chen is just too strong. Unimaginably strong…”

Meanwhile.

The medicinal power of the Dragon Python Discontinuity Pill dissolved with incredible speed.

Han Chou’s collapsed ribs swelled back up at a speed visible to the naked eye.

CRACKLE! The shattered bones snapped under his skin, as if an invisible pair of hands was setting each broken piece back into place.

His deathly pale face flushed a healthy red, his ragged breaths smoothed into long, deep ones, and a wave of Blood Qi—far more potent than before—erupted from within him.

“Han Chou… you…”

Gu Qianqian’s eyes narrowed slightly, then a look of unexpected, pleasant surprise appeared on her face.

Han Chou’s eyes shot open, and he sat up in one smooth motion.

He took a deep breath, and his joints POPPED and CRACKLED. The Ninth Pillar of Blood Qi began to condense directly in his left leg, forming a scorching vortex of bloody fragrance that resonated with the other eight pillars, thrumming like a boiling cauldron.

A few breaths later.

He slowly got to his feet and rolled his shoulders. Only a faint, dull ache remained where his bones had been broken; his movement was no longer impeded.

His injuries were fully healed, and his strength had skyrocketed!

“Senior Sister Gu, I can never repay you for saving my life!”

He turned to Gu Qianqian, clasped his fist in his palm, and bowed deeply.

“From this day forward, whatever you command, I, Han Chou, will carry it out to the death!”

“Very good. I knew I hadn’t misjudged you.”

Gu Qianqian smiled and made a gesture as if to help him up. Her tone was a little gentler than before, but it still carried an air of condescending ease.

“Rise. Cultivate well from now on and continue to improve. There will be a place for you in the Sea Courtyard. I guarantee it!”

She spoke with conviction, and she said it publicly. It was clearly no empty promise; she truly intended to bring Han Chou into the Sea Courtyard and groom him to be a trusted subordinate.

In her eyes, although a Dragon Python Discontinuity Pill was precious, it was worth it to gain a fiercely loyal subordinate with immense potential, not to mention a wave of praise, honor, and prestige.

Viewed this way, the transaction wasn’t such a loss after all.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Gu!”

Han Chou straightened up, his gaze shifting from Gu Qianqian back to Chen Cheng. He said in a deep voice,

“Chen Cheng, right? I’ll remember you! You’re strong! Stronger than any opponent of the Same Tier I have ever faced! I respect you! In fact, I’m even grateful to you!”

“That last kick of yours forcibly created the opportunity for me to break through to the next Realm. Otherwise, I really don’t know how long I would have been stuck at this level.”

As soon as he said this, Gu Qianqian’s expression clearly soured.

In her mind, the Dragon Python Discontinuity Pill she had grudgingly given up had not only saved Han Chou’s life, but was also the direct cause of his breakthrough.

But now, Han Chou was giving all the credit for his breakthrough to Chen Cheng.

This made her extremely unhappy.

And yet, she couldn’t argue with him in the slightest.

After all, Han Chou was the one who experienced it. Only he knew exactly when the opportunity for his breakthrough had appeared.

This way, half of her credit was taken by Chen Cheng, half of Han Chou’s debt of gratitude was taken by Chen Cheng, and even half of her precious prestige was being taken by Chen Cheng.

The feeling was almost worse than death.

But what really shattered her composure was Han Chou’s wholehearted praise and sincere admiration for Chen Cheng’s strength.

She had come today to test Chen Cheng, and Han Chou was the test she had set for him.

Now, the test itself had admitted defeat and expressed its admiration for Chen Cheng. How could she, Gu Qianqian, still stubbornly deny Chen Cheng’s worth?

‘That sort of behavior wouldn’t just be unseemly—it would be ugly! Disgusting! No matter how thick-skinned I am, even I wouldn’t stoop that low!’

“Chen Cheng, you’ve done well.”

Gu Qianqian was fuming internally, but on the surface, she had to maintain a professional demeanor.

“You have passed my test. However, whether or not you can enter the Sea Courtyard will depend on what my master says. Just wait. I will have someone inform you when there is news.”

“Uh… Senior Sister Gu.”

Chen Cheng clasped his fist and asked,

“May I request a more difficult test? That way, perhaps your master will value me more.”

Chen Cheng was well aware of his disadvantages. Only by constantly raising the stakes and demonstrating value far beyond expectations could he make them take him more seriously and increase his chances of entering the Sea Courtyard to become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Mountain and Sea Sect.

“A more difficult test?”

Gu Qianqian paused, stunned, before saying indifferently,

“You’re already invincible within your Tier, and you want something harder? The only thing more difficult would be to fight someone from a higher Realm!”

“Is that possible?”

Chen Cheng first looked at Gu Qianqian, then his gaze slowly shifted to Han Chou as he said,

“If it is, then let Senior Brother Han and I fight again.”

“Possible? Of course, it’s possible!”

Gu Qianqian struggled to keep a straight face, afraid she would burst out laughing.

‘I’ve seen plenty of idiots, but this is the first time I’ve ever met one as stupid as Chen Cheng. He’s eagerly rushing to his death. What reason do I have to refuse?’

“Chen Cheng! Don’t!”

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