But Chen Lian was secretly impressed.
At the same time, without letting Shi Jing rest, he raised his hand and the very air around him began to swirl.
"Two-Fold Mountain Crushing Palm!"
This was one of his signature moves, a technique which overlap two Mountain Crushing Palm into one.
Although the concept of this technique sounds simple, it is in fact complicated.
Even among foundation establishment cultivator, the force of this technique cannot be underestimated.
Meanwhile, the disciples held their breath.
But as Chen Lian's strike descended, something changed in Shi Jing's eyes.
His hand moved to his side, gripping tighter onto a branch that he picked up on the ground.
"One Autumn Stroke," Shi Jing murmured, and the world seemed to slow.
The autumn wind responded to his call, swirling around him, as if to embrace this young figure.
At the same time, the frail stick in his hand became a sharp sword and Chen Lian could feel its chilling edge aiming at him!
Chen Lian's eyes widened in shock. "This is...!"
The two force collided in the center of the courtyard.
For a moment, there was muffled silence.
Then Chen Lian stepped back, his expression unreadable as he looked down at his hand.
But his palm was turned away from the disciples, concealed from their view.
Shi Jing stood motionless, the branch falling from his grasp to clatter on the ground.
"Is... is it over?" One disciple whispered uncertainly.
Fang Zheng squinted at the scene, trying to read Elder Chen's expression.
The elder's face seemed stern, almost... disappointed?
"Senior Brother, look! He can barely stand!" another disciple pointed out. Indeed, Shi Jing appeared winded from the exchange, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Ha! He probably exhausted himself with that flashy technique!" Fang Zheng smirked, confidence returning.
"Elder Chen doesn't even look affected!"
The disciples began to murmur excitedly among themselves.
"Did you see how Elder Chen stepped back so calmly?"
"That technique looked impressive, but it was probably just for show!"
"Elder Chen must be contemplating the appropriate punishment now!"
Chen Lian remained silent, still staring at his concealed palm. The disciples interpreted his silence as displeasure.
"Elder," Fang Zheng called out eagerly, "How shall we deal with this arrogant fool? Should we drag him to the Manor for formal punishment?"
Still, Chen Lian said nothing, his gaze fixed on something the disciples couldn't see.
"He... he actually cut me?" Chen Lian's mind reeled in complete astonishment.
"That was Major Mastery of the One Autumn Stroke! Did Esteemed Ming Feng taught him this sword art?!"
A thin line of blood slowly welled up from the precise cut across his palm, visible only to him.
"Among the seven realm of comprehension, minor, major, peak, perfection, great perfection and the above, I am only at the peak realm."
"This child is just a hair away from reaching this peak realm!"
Actually, Shi Jing wasn't that close the peak realm.
But with the combination of the Iron body transformation art major mastery on top of his sword art, he was able to display a similar feat.
Thus, causing the misunderstanding in Chen Lian's mind.
Meanwhile, the tension in the courtyard grew thick as the disciples waited for their elder's verdict.
Chen Lian stared at Shi Jing with new eyes, his earlier wariness replaced by genuine awe and desire.
"This young child... I must not go against him, and if I do, I have to make sure he cannot retaliate! Otherwise, the best move is to befriend him!"
Chen Lian slowly raised his head and when he spoke, his voice carried an emotion the disciples couldn't quite identify.
"Remarkable," he said quietly, almost to himself.
Fang Zheng's eyes lit up.
"Yes, Elder! Your technique was truly remarkable! That arrogan—"
"No," Chen Lian interrupted, his voice filled with something that sounded almost like... awe?
"You don't understand."
He shook his head and didn't explained himself, then turn his attention to Shi Jing exhausted figure.
Seeing his state, he wasn't surprised. Actually, if Shi Jing wasn't exhausted from that strike just now, Chen Lian would be suspicious.
Even now, with the effect of the ghostly concealment art, Chen Lian can only see that Shi Jing inner qi was greatly exhausted.
He was unaware of the spiritual essence circulating in Shi Jing's body.
"I only displayed the peak of Body-Tempering strength as well as supplement my sword art with the iron body transformation art… If I were to use my spiritual essence, perhaps I could greatly injure him."
"As for killing a foundational establishment expert… It seems like I am far from achieving this!"
While Chen Lian was testing Shi Jing, Shi Jing was also using him to test his own capabilities.
After all, his experience in the world of cultivation was lacking and he needed to a way to peer into the higher realms.
Now, he understood where he stands among Qi-Refinement.
Shi Jing was confident that as long as he raise his mastery over the One Autumn Stroke. Then grasp the other heaven-grade sword art, no other Qi-Refinement cultivator can match him!
"Let alone Qi-Refinement cultivator, I am confident I can kill Foundation Establishment expert as well!"
"Ahem!" Chen Lian coughed, breaking the silent atmosphere.
At this moment, he didn't paid Fang Zheng any attention. Before, this youth show a considerable amount of talent and managed to become an outer disciple.
He was destined to one day become a Qi-Refining cultivator at least, and a good chance at foundation establishment.
But Shi Jing?
Chen Lian sighed, but inwardly, there was a rising wave of excitement and anticipation, followed by dread and anxiety.
"L-Luckily, I didn't offend this young man just yet. My wit is still sharp and I was cautious enough to consider all possibilities!"
This young gem in front of him is capable of surpassing him given enough time, maybe reaching that Wandering Sea and above expert status!
It must be noted that there are Qi-Refining, Foundation Establishment, Wandering Sea, and Dao seed Realm.
Those inner elder belongs to the Peak of Wandering Sea realm at least, with some being Dao Seed realm.
As for those being above Dao Seed? Chen Lian himself only know of one person, he is the leader of the Sword Cloud Manor!
Even if Shi Jing couldn't reach that Wandering Sea status, he has a good chance to!
Just this alone already makes Chen Lian greedy to secure this person under his wing.
"What is your name?" He asked, realizing that he didn't know this brilliant young figure's name.
Seeing this, Shi Jing awkwardly smile for a moment, before answering the old man.
"Shi Jing."