Grand Martial Arts Arena.

"It seems Jiang Chen isn't coming. To maintain his status as a core disciple by avoiding challenges like this, it's really..."

Sun Zheqi shook his head helplessly.

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood in their hearts.

"Isn't that too despicable?"

"Exactly, if he's really in seclusion, that's one thing! But going into seclusion to avoid challenges, that's shameless!"

"Yes, the challenge rules should be changed!"

"We can't let people exploit loopholes in the rules; they should be changed!"

The group of disciples grumbled indignantly.

A virtual refinement realm instructor hosting the challenge frowned slightly, giving Sun Zheqi a deep look, and then shouted, "Alright! Since everyone demands a change in the challenge rules, I will report this to the academy."

The disciples were momentarily stunned and looked at the instructor.

"No need to report!"

A voice suddenly appeared in everyone's ears, and a refined figure emerged on the northern platform.

"Greetings, Dean!"

"Greetings, Dean!"

The disciples and several overseeing instructors all saluted Jian Cangqiong.

"The students are right, the monthly challenge rules are indeed problematic. When cultivators reach the Divine Infant Realm, a single seclusion could last months or even years. Therefore, after deliberation with the four Great Elders, we have decided to change the challenge rules to match those of the main academy!"

Jian Cangqiong glanced at everyone and spoke calmly.

The disciples were momentarily stunned, looking at Jian Cangqiong in surprise.

Jian Cangqiong's gaze lingered on Sun Zheqi and Bo Liancheng.

Sun Zheqi and Bo Liancheng were slightly confused and quickly turned their heads.

A mocking smile flickered in Jian Cangqiong's eyes, and he said loudly, "The student level challenge will now be held only once after each rookie competition, and all core disciples must participate in a challenge every five years. If someone is in seclusion, they can postpone it until the next rookie competition. All elite disciples must participate in at least one challenge every five years! The new rules will take effect after this challenge!"

"What!?"

"This... it's the same as the main academy now!"

"Once every five years?"

"They might as well not change it!"

The disciples exclaimed, and those who had the strength to challenge the core disciple level were regretting their earlier actions, secretly kicking themselves for joining the noise. What did Jiang Chen's appearance or absence have to do with them?

"Dean, this time we are supposed to challenge Jiang Chen. If you change it like this, does it mean we have to wait five years? Isn't that inappropriate?"

Sun Zheqi cupped his fists towards the platform and spoke loudly: "Isn't this a bit of favoritism?"

The Martial Arts Arena instantly fell silent, and all the disciples looked at Sun Zheqi in surprise, then collectively turned their heads to look at Jian Cangqiong.

No one expected Sun Zheqi to be so bold, daring to question the dean in front of so many people. However, some students indeed had the same curiosity in their hearts.

Jian Cangqiong squinted slightly, looking at Sun Zheqi.

Sun Zheqi's heart suddenly tightened, and a hint of anger had already appeared in Jian Cangqiong's eyes.

Startled, Sun Zheqi slightly averted his gaze, not daring to continue making eye contact with Jian Cangqiong.

"Your challenge doesn't need to wait five years; it can be postponed to next month!"

Jian Cangqiong said indifferently.

The disciples were stunned but immediately felt relieved; next month, there was no favoritism anymore!

"Dean, could it be done tomorrow?"

Sun Zheqi gritted his teeth and called out again: "Next month, I may need to go into seclusion to break through, making it impossible to participate."

"This..."

"Sun Zheqi wants to breakthrough?"

"Does he want to defeat Jiang Chen before breaking through?"

"But he doesn't seem like he's about to break through!"

"Why does he insist on challenging Jiang Chen in the next few days?"

The disciples started discussing again, looking at Sun Zheqi with suspicion in their eyes.

"Sun Zheqi, stop making things up! Breakthrough, let's see it happen!"

Yun Tao roared out.

Sun Zheqi seemed to have prepared a response, turning to Yun Tao with a smile: "Senior Yun, a breakthrough requires an opportunity. The opportunity might come tomorrow or it might take several months, even..."

"Enough!"

A calm voice interrupted, and three figures flew from afar. Jiang Chen landed on the stage, cupped his fists towards Jian Cangqiong, and made a salute.

Hu Yiqiu jumped onto the platform, and Jian Wuheng approached Yun Tao.

"Jian Wuheng, what do you mean? The junior is still injured, why did you call him?"

Yun Tao grabbed Jian Wuheng's collar and roared.

"Is Jiang Chen injured?"

"He doesn't look right!"

"He's hurt! There's a faint sign of Great Dao aura leaking from his body!"

"No wonder he hasn't come!"

The disciples looked at Jiang Chen in astonishment, with some Divine Infant Realm Peak students keenly sensing the unruly and overflowing Great Dao aura around him.

"Senior, I'm fine!"

Jiang Chen looked up at Yun Tao, smiled slightly, and then turned to face Sun Zheqi: "What a cunning plan!"

"Senior Jiang, what do you mean by that? Surely, I didn't know you were injured. If I knew, I wouldn't have challenged you. Would you like to go back to heal first, and we can have the challenge next month?"

Sun Zheqi said with a face full of guilt, thinking that since Jiang Chen had come, he wouldn't...

"Alright! Let's fight next month then!"

Jiang Chen nodded, turned around, and was about to leave.

Sun Zheqi was taken aback, never expecting Jiang Chen to react this way. He hurriedly called out, "Senior Jiang, please wait!"

"Why? Didn't you tell me to heal first?"

Jiang Chen said sarcastically: "Or were you just being insincere, planning to fight me today all along?"

"This..."

"What's going on?"

"Is Sun Zheqi really planning to take advantage of Jiang Chen's injury?"

The disciples began to look at Sun Zheqi.

Sun Zheqi's face changed, showing a regretful and forced expression: "Senior Jiang, I'm sorry, I've sensed a breakthrough opportunity and need to go into seclusion next month. So, we must fight today, although it's a bit unfair since you're injured..."

"Understood! It's normal to seize a breakthrough opportunity!"

Jiang Chen interrupted Sun Zheqi with a magnanimous face and said: "No problem, go for your breakthrough first, and I'll heal in the meantime. Once you break through, we can fight again. I'm injured now, and if we fight, I'll have to give it my all. If I injure you, affecting your breakthrough opportunity, that wouldn't be good!"

"Fight after the breakthrough? Jiang Chen is bold indeed!"

"Didn't expect Jiang Chen to be so magnanimous! He's injured but thinks of Sun Zheqi first!"

"Yes! Jiang Chen truly has a benevolent heart!"

The disciples praised Jiang Chen, looking at him with admiration.

But Sun Zheqi's face changed drastically, and his breath hitched again.

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