Chapter 244: Trample the Proud, Steal the Goddess, Bully Your Beloved Goddess? That's My Job (1)
That's more like it!
Now that is a smart person.
And I just love talking to smart people—because they always think they're the cleverest ones in the room.
At this moment... the entire venue was already under Su Qing's complete control!
From here on out, it was his stage.
"I only came here to say hi. I'm also here for the Goddess."
"After all... she's my woman. Who the hell are you to come propose to her?"
In the silence, Su Qing spoke with ease, his eyes scanning the whole crowd.
The contempt in his gaze was blatant, like a sovereign looking down on his subjects.
And that kind of domineering gaze successfully ignited everyone's fury.
These proud geniuses were already arrogant—how could they tolerate being provoked like this?
Some weakling dares to bark in front of them? He clearly doesn't know his place!
The only reason they hadn't acted yet wasn't because they feared him—but because they feared the army behind him.
"If you dare face us in a fair fight, then maybe you have the right to say such things."
"But if all you want is to flex your backing, then shut your damn mouth."
Amid the silence, someone finally spoke.
The moment those words came out, many geniuses around nodded in agreement, expressions of approval on their faces.
"Come on."
Su Qing hooked his finger toward the crowd and spat out a single word.
Coming alone was deliberate—he wanted a clear grasp of his own strength.
And these so-called geniuses were the perfect test subjects!
"Flowing Sword Zhao Ji, here to experience your skills!"
With that declaration, the first challenger stepped onto the stage.
He was a strikingly handsome man in white robes with a longsword at his waist.
His long hair was tied up, one hand resting on his sword, robes fluttering in the wind.
Just looking at him, one could feel the sharp sword aura radiating from his body.
No matter how you looked at him, he was clearly a powerful Sword Immortal!
That presence alone made many other proud geniuses feel inferior.
To step up despite the unknown danger—this was the true spirit of a swordsman!
Some who didn't recognize him were more curious about his strength.
"That's Zhao Ji, ranked thirty-third on the Proud Sons List. His Flowing Sword Technique is superb!"
"His strength has already reached the threshold of Grandmaster, just one step away from breaking through."
"His low ranking is only because the list hasn't been updated yet!"
The geniuses who knew him quickly explained to the others, speaking with great admiration.
With someone like this, no matter your private thoughts, you had to show respect outwardly.
So taking this opportunity to hype him up was definitely worthwhile.
After hearing this, the geniuses gasped and looked at Zhao Ji with newfound closeness.
Even though they were all considered geniuses, very few had reached the edge of Grandmaster.
It was understandable—sect resources were limited and only a few talents could receive that kind of support.
Zhao Ji was clearly one of the sect's top-priority prospects!
Getting close to someone like him was never a bad move.
In the stands, an old man carrying a longsword on his back looked extremely pleased.
The praise for Zhao Ji gave him immense pride.
Zhao Ji was his disciple!
That bold aura—this was what a swordsman should be!
Once onstage, Zhao Ji didn't dare show the slightest carelessness.
He had already drawn his sword, body taut, assuming a combat stance.
Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit—especially when the opponent dares to stand there alone.
Caution was essential!
"Are you ready?"
Su Qing suddenly asked.
There was a trace of disappointment in his voice.
"Please."
Zhao Ji nodded and instantly vanished from his spot, launching the first attack.
The battle had begun!
And ended two seconds later.
Sword cultivators were known for their speed, and Zhao Ji's flurry of strikes was fierce enough to make countless martial artists tremble.
But he still lost even faster.
He was effortlessly swatted away like a child being flung aside by an adult.
"Your strength isn't bad, but you should focus more on cultivating."
"Nice courage. Next."
Su Qing casually spoke, holding Zhao Ji's sharp, glowing longsword between two fingers.
With a light squeeze, the steel-forged blade was cleanly snapped in two.
The snapped sword hit the ground with a sharp, crisp sound.
The many proud geniuses who had been ready to cheer were now frozen in utter shock.
Several of them began to wonder if they were under some kind of illusion, glancing at the floor.
Zhao Ji was facedown on the ground, unconscious.
If not for the occasional twitch, they would've thought he'd just dropped dead on the spot.
One move—he was down. A skilled cultivator like that, taken out instantly?
Sure, there were plenty here who had reached the threshold of Grandmaster—after all, these were the elites.
Some didn't even think Zhao Ji was all that strong, maybe they could surpass him.
But to defeat him this easily? None of them were confident they could do that.
And that move—catching a blade barehanded—it was absurd.
He didn't even look like a body cultivator. How did he pull that off?
They couldn't wrap their heads around it.
Up in the stands, the old swordsman's face turned dark, but he didn't act.
This was still technically a bout between juniors—if he stepped in, the nature of things would change.