Lin Tiannan's face was as dark as water.
He hated it the most when people looked at him that way.
He immediately made his move.
Rumble~~
A majestic surge of true qi condensed in his palm, transforming into a scorching flame that shot towards Chu Chen. The air burned, emitting a piercing shriek.
The surrounding crowd retreated to avoid being caught in the crossfire, while looking at Chu Chen in surprise, "Senior Brother Lin actually attacked directly!"
"This is Chu Chen, after all. Although he just advanced to the inner sect, I heard he possesses extremely formidable combat abilities. He might be in trouble..."
Many people were discussing.
Among the younger generation of the Chu family, Chu Haoran and Chu Yang, the direct descendants of the eldest branch, were the most outstanding geniuses. The rest were insignificant, which was why, even within the Chu family, Chu Chen's status remained very low.
As for the third young lady of the Chu family, Chu Yanran, although her talent was extraordinary, she was too weak and not highly regarded in the clan.
Only Chu Chen remained, an exception.
Therefore, many people secretly mocked Chu Chen, even hoping for an opportunity to teach him a lesson and display their own might and dominance.
"Kneel down for me! Trash!"
Lin Tiannan sneered, his eyes gleaming with sharp light and intense killing intent.
Chu Chen had only recently broken through to the inner sect and had been cultivating for a short time. He believed this attack would be a sure victory. Even if he couldn't suppress him on the spot, he could at least render him incapable of resisting.
"Scram!"
Facing the surging, scorching wave of fire, Chu Chen snorted coldly and threw out a punch!
Crack!
The void seemed to shatter. The scorching fire wave instantly dispersed.
Bang!
The fist imprint, like a broken bamboo, struck Lin Tiannan's chest fiercely. In an instant, he was sent flying several meters away, overturning several tables and chairs, looking utterly pathetic.
Hiss...
The entire place fell silent.
Everyone stared at the scene in a daze, completely dumbfounded.
"Chu Chen actually won?! His cultivation is higher than Senior Brother Lin's!"
"Not only is his cultivation superior, but his physical body is also crushing. This... this is outrageous!"
A group of people gaped, feeling as if they were dreaming, unable to believe any of it.
Lin Tiannan, Chu Haoran's cousin, was defeated by a discarded son from a collateral branch of the Chu family?
Chu Chen's expression was indifferent.
In fact, if he hadn't held back some of his strength earlier, that single move would have been enough to kill Lin Tiannan!
"Chu Chen!"
Lin Tiannan clutched his chest, struggling to get up, his eyes filled with venom.
He never expected to be defeated by Chu Chen!
"You dare to ambush me! Despicable and shameless!"
"Oh? Is that what you think?"
Chu Chen shook his head slightly. "If that's the case, I'd like to see how you are despicable."
Boom!
As the words fell, a powerful force erupted.
In an instant, Chu Chen's speed soared. He closed the distance in a flash and kicked out!
Snap!
The crisp sound of bone breaking echoed, accompanied by a shrill scream. Lin Tiannan was sent flying more than ten meters away, his entire leg twisted and deformed, bloody and horrifying to behold!
Chu Chen's kick had nearly crippled Lin Tiannan's right leg!
Around them, an eerie silence fell once more.
Everyone's eyes widened, looking at Chu Chen in disbelief.
Had he... truly broken through to the inner sect?
And possessed such powerful cultivation, completely overpowering Lin Tiannan, who ranked among the top twenty core disciples?!
"How is this possible..."
Lin Tiannan wailed in pain, feeling like he was going mad.
Chu Chen, with only the sixth level of Innate Realm cultivation, had defeated him in one move and crippled one of his legs!
What was happening to this world?
"Lin Tiannan, do you understand the gap now?"
Chu Chen walked over slowly, a cold glint in his eyes.
Lin Tiannan's pupils contracted.
He suddenly thought of something, his face turning pale, and he shouted in panic, "Help!" Swish swish swish~
Just then, dozens of enforcers in black robes rushed into the plaza.
"Senior Brother Lin!"
"What's going on!"
"Chu Chen! You dare to harm Senior Brother Lin! You're seeking death!"
"..."
There were nine enforcers in total, all looking fierce and radiating killing intent.
"Chu Chen! You have great audacity!"
The leading enforcer stared at Chu Chen and said sternly, "Do you know what punishment is meted out to those who fight and quarrel within the sect without authorization!"
Chu Chen frowned upon hearing this and looked up at the leading enforcer. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm here to participate in the core disciple trial."
After speaking, he glanced at the many enforcers present.
"He was the one who offended me first and deliberately provoked me later, which is why I had to injure him."
The enforcer sneered, "Heh heh, I don't care what your reason is. You've caused trouble today, and you must pay the price! Someone, apprehend him!"
Swish swish swish—
In an instant, over a dozen enforcers surrounded Chu Chen.
Chu Chen's expression immediately changed. "On what grounds are you arresting me!"
"On what grounds? On the grounds of you slaughtering fellow disciples and disrupting order!"
The leading enforcer said coldly, "Your crime is grave. According to the rules, you should be imprisoned immediately. However, considering you've just entered the inner sect, we'll give you a chance. Come with us!"
"Haha, alright, that's exactly what I want!" Chu Chen laughed heartily.
"Hold on."
An old voice came from behind. Turning around, an elder with graying temples walked slowly. This was Wang Zhiheng, the Dean of Qingyun Academy, a former Martial Venerable expert with profound cultivation and unfathomable authority.
"Chu Chen, these enforcement teams were personally established by me to maintain order within the sect. You cannot act recklessly."
Wang Zhiheng said slowly, "You've just become an inner sect disciple, and you need to be cautious."
"As you command, Dean."
Chu Chen cupped his hands respectfully, then pointed at Lin Tiannan. "This person has bullied fellow disciples. I request the Dean to dispense justice."
"Hmm." Wang Zhiheng nodded, casually tossing out a golden plaque inscribed with the word 'Enforcement'.
"Lin Tiannan, you have abused your power and repeatedly ignored prohibitions. Now, I, the Dean, declare that you are expelled from the sect!"
Wang Zhiheng announced loudly.
What?
Everyone was stunned. Lin Tiannan was even more bewildered.
Expelled from the sect?
Had he heard correctly?
Chu Chen was also somewhat surprised. "Dean, isn't this a mistake?"
Wang Zhiheng shook his head. "Impossible. Chu Haoran has already told me the whole story. You don't need to worry. I will naturally handle Lin Tiannan's actions and will not let anyone bully you."
Chu Chen nodded upon hearing this.
"Chu Chen, I'll remember you!"
Lin Tiannan gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "After the trial ends, we'll settle old and new scores together. I will tear you to pieces and make you wish you were dead!"
"Noisy!"
Chu Chen slapped him.
Clack!
A crisp, pleasant sound echoed throughout the entire venue.
The crowd was astonished.
No one had expected Chu Chen to act so ruthlessly, directly slapping Lin Tiannan away.
"You... you dare to hit me..." Lin Tiannan roared furiously, but then he spat blood and fainted.
With this slap, Chu Chen circulated the spiritual energy within his body. Although he hadn't used any lethal techniques, it was not light. It had directly shattered Lin Tiannan's meridians!