Xu Ziyang was amused by Zhao Linglong's indignant expression.
However, she was also well aware that Zhao Linglong had such a personality and often stood up for the disciples of the Seven Peaks.
"Linglong, don't get so worked up. These people probably recognized that Xiao Taiping is the one who defeated Qin Yuan a few days ago, so they all gathered to watch the spectacle."
She gently patted Zhao Linglong's hand.
Because she had been entrusted by the peak master with the task of selecting disciples, Ziyang had some knowledge of the affairs of the outer disciples.
"This man in green, named Tian Qi, came to Yunlu Mountain seven years ago. Before that, he was the leader of a gang and, in a fit of rage, killed over a hundred people from a rival gang. Worried about being hunted down by his enemies, he fled to Yunlu Mountain."
Dugu Qingxiao also spoke up.
Like Ziyang, he had some understanding of the outer disciples who were of particular interest.
"Why would the Qingxuan Sect accept such a heinous criminal?"
Zhao Linglong looked at Dugu Qingxiao with confusion.
"According to the story, he contacted our Qingxuan Sect's representatives outside the mountain and offered to hand over all his wealth and the family's advanced martial technique, the Ghost Shadow Kick, in exchange for a chance to enter the mountain and escape his enemies."
This time, Ziyang answered Zhao Linglong.
"This man is not only ruthless but also has such determination. It seems he won't be as easy to deal with as the Lu Yuan you mentioned earlier."
Zhao Linglong's tone became serious.
She did not let her prejudice blind her to Tian Qi's strength.
"Tian Qi's greatest asset is the family's Ghost Shadow Kick. In terms of killing power, the Ghost Shadow Kick is no weaker than any advanced martial technique. Otherwise, in the last Seven Peaks selection, so many outer disciples wouldn't have died to his Ghost Shadow Kick even when they were on guard."
Qingxiao nodded solemnly.
"The competition is about to start."
Ziyang, who had been watching the scene in the bronze mirror, reminded the others.
Immediately, Zhao Linglong and Qingxiao also turned their attention back to the bronze mirror.
In the mirror, Tian Qi and Xu Taiping climbed onto the stage one after the other.
After ascending, they wasted no time.
Xu Taiping assumed the stance of the Blue Ox Fist.
Tian Qi, with a provocative look, lifted his left foot, and fiery red true qi began to swirl around his thick thigh.
Seeing this, the few people in the bamboo grove held their breath, not daring to blink.
On the Longmen Hall stage
The examiner on the stage swung his arm and struck the bronze gong beside him.
Almost as soon as the gong sounded, both Xu Taiping and Tian Qi disappeared from the stage.
When they reappeared, they were already in the middle of the stage, exchanging dozens of punches and kicks.
Tian Qi's legs were as fast as Xu Taiping's fists.
For a moment, the gusts of wind stirred by the fist and leg techniques spread out from the stage like waves.
"Xu Taiping can actually withstand Tian Qi's Ghost Shadow Kick?!"
"No wonder he defeated Qin Yuan."
The spectators below were all surprised.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would find it hard to believe that a young man could fight the well-known Ghost Shadow Kick Tian Qi to a standstill with just the Blue Ox Fist.
With a loud collision, Xu Taiping's Mountain-Crushing Horn technique met Tian Qi's leg, which came down like a battle axe.
This punch still failed to determine a winner, and the two remained locked in a stalemate.
However, the shock waves from the collision of true qi created a series of gusts, giving the spectators a sense of immense pressure.
Although it appeared that neither of them was moving, the collision of true qi around their bodies never stopped.
Xu Taiping's Residual Afterglow true qi and Tian Qi's unknown true qi were like two forces pushing each other away.
Suddenly, Tian Qi roared.
In an instant, the muscles in his grounded leg swelled.
The sudden increase in strength caused his foot to crack the rock ground with a "bang."
He then used this force to spin his body, channeling all his strength into the leg aimed at Xu Taiping.
With a burst of air, the Residual Afterglow true qi protecting Xu Taiping shattered.
A massive force pressed down on Xu Taiping's arm, which was blocking Tian Qi's leg, causing him to sink, and the rock ground beneath him cracked.
"Brat, my leg is not only fast but also heavy. Watch me crush you!"
Tian Qi grinned, and his leg muscles swelled again, increasing his strength.
But this time, Xu Taiping's body remained still.
Not only did he not sink further, but the aura fluctuations that had been suppressed by Tian Qi suddenly surged again.
A burst of true qi exploded from Xu Taiping's body, and the strength in his arm, which was being pressed by Tian Qi, increased. He suddenly lifted it, pushing Tian Qi's thick leg away.
"Opening the Gate, Minor Success?"
The sudden burst of aura from Xu Taiping made everyone present shudder.
Most of the outer disciples who could enter the Longmen Hall had already broken through the Opening the Gate stage, but those who had reached the Minor Success level were few.
However, they definitely didn't know that even this aura was the result of Xu Taiping deliberately suppressing it to hone his martial techniques.
As Xu Taiping lifted Tian Qi's leg, his left fist, which had been prepared, struck heavily at Tian Qi's groin.
Tian Qi quickly retracted his leg and turned to dodge.
But Xu Taiping, as if he had anticipated this, had already prepared his right fist, which struck the position where Tian Qi was dodging.
Tian Qi's protective true qi was shattered by Xu Taiping's punch, and he received a solid blow to his waist, causing him to stagger back several steps.
Before Tian Qi could steady himself, Xu Taiping, like a shadow, appeared in front of him again, fist raised.
Tian Qi, enraged, roared again.
He infused his right leg with true qi and kicked heavily at Xu Taiping's incoming punch.
Xu Taiping merely swayed.
On the contrary, Tian Qi was pushed back several steps by the counterforce.
And in those few steps, Xu Taiping found an opening and had the chance to use the Charging Bull Piercing Formation.
Before Tian Qi could steady himself, Xu Taiping's fist struck his chest heavily.
Then came the second punch, the third punch, the fourth punch!
He was like a charging bull, continuously using his fists as horns to charge at Tian Qi.