Chapter 507: Astonished and Speechless!
"Yes, Master."
Zhang Qing stood up and respectfully bowed when he saw the approaching group of Dharma Protectors, saying, "Disciple Zhang Qing, greetings to all the esteemed Dharma Protectors."
Having undergone a profound purifying process, Zhang Qing is currently undergoing a transformative journey from within, fortified by the consumption of the Spiritual Essence obtained from the mysterious space. His demeanor has evolved into one that is neither subservient nor arrogant, displaying both respect and fearlessness.
Observing his disciple's performance, Dharma Protector Hou Changming couldn't help but secretly reveal a smile, almost growing to like it more and more.
Regarding the performance of this newly acquired disciple, Dharma Protector Hou Changming felt that even if he had lost a lot of pills today, it could still be considered as an additional gain.
Given time, this disciple might truly achieve remarkable accomplishments.
The Dharma Protectors gazed at Zhang Qing, and once again, they were secretly moved.
Could such a disciple have truly been an outer disciple before? Why did no one ever take notice of this?
"Alright, Zhang Qing, within the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords, how many Sword-patterned Stones have you obtained?"
Dharma Protector Wang Tianbao stepped forward, and this was now the matter he was most concerned about. It seems that Dharma Protector Hou Changming did indeed acquire a promising disciple, but the wager was undoubtedly lost.
How could an outer disciple possess Sword-patterned Stones?
Even if they unintentionally obtained Sword-patterned Stones, considering the strength of an outer disciple, the stones would have long been taken by those inner disciples and direct disciples.
Upon seeing the Dharma Protector addressing him, Zhang Qing immediately glanced at Dharma Protector Hou Changming, feeling slightly nervous. After all, the Sword-patterned Stones on his person were all given to him by Boss Su Yi. If he had to rely on himself, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to make it out of the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords.
Observing Zhang Qing's reaction, a group of Dharma Protectors secretly smiled in amusement, thinking that he didn't have a single Sword-patterned Stone on him, hence the nervousness. They believed they had already won.
Moreover, they had known from the beginning till the end that Dharma Protector Hou Changming was definitely destined to lose.
Seeing Zhang Qing's reaction, Dharma Protector Hou Changming also felt quite helpless.
How could Sword-patterned Stones be found on an ordinary outer disciple?
Fortunately, even though this wager was lost, at least this disciple seems to be quite promising. Dharma Protector Hou Changming said calmly, "If there are any Sword-patterned Stones, kindly inform all the Dharma Protectors. If not, it doesn't matter. The trials in the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords are meant to greatly benefit you in the future."
Listening to the words of Dharma Protector Hou Changming, many Dharma Protectors chuckled inwardly, indicating that it seemed Dharma Protector Hou Changming could finally no longer bear the situation.
Glancing at the expression of his master, Zhang Qing gritted his teeth and summoned the courage to take out a space bag. He extracted a large handful of Sword-patterned Stones and boldly said, "Master, I admit my shortcomings. I could only obtain thirteen pieces of Sword-patterned Stones."
As the gaze fell upon Zhang Qing's palm, their expressions suddenly changed dramatically. On the faces of each Dharma Protector, their countenances became as if they had swallowed something difficult to digest.
On the face of Dharma Protector Hou Changming, who had originally held no hope, the expression suddenly froze for a few moments as he looked at the Sword-patterned Stones in Zhang Qing's hand. Then, he gradually reacted, and an uncontrollable expression of joy immediately surged on his aged face.
"Are these Sword-patterned Stones truly...?"
Dharma Protector Zhuchang Gao took a step forward, his face transforming significantly, and he picked up a piece of Sword-patterned Stone from Zhang Qing's hand to examine it.
He simply couldn't believe it. An outer disciple actually managed to obtain thirteen pieces of Sword-patterned Stones.
However, as soon as the Sword-patterned Stones fell into his hands, Dharma Protector Zhuchang Gao's expression completely solidified.
This Sword-patterned Stone cannot be fake. This Zhang Qing, an outer disciple, truly obtained thirteen pieces of Sword-patterned Stones.
Looking at the expression on Zhuchang Gao's face, the group of Dharma Protectors standing beside him could already sense it clearly. Besides, it was highly unlikely for these Sword-patterned Stones to be fake.
"Thirteen pieces of Sword-patterned Stones, and yet, you say you lack the ability. Who are you trying to undermine with this..."
With peculiar glances, all eyes fell once again upon Zhang Qing, causing them to reevaluate this seemingly unremarkable outer disciple.
All Dharma Protectors were well aware that, based on past editions of the Grand Swordsmanship Competition, possessing thirteen Sword-patterned Stones would undoubtedly provide a high chance of securing a position within the top sixty-eight ranks.
The total number of Sword-patterned Stones within the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords amounts to merely three to four hundred pieces.
Among the thousands of direct disciples, even if each person were to receive one piece, only three to four hundred individuals would be able to obtain a Sword-patterned Stone.
In previous editions of the Grand Swordsmanship Competition, the top-ranked disciples generally possessed no more than around twenty Sword-patterned Stones, making it difficult to surpass thirty.
Disciples who obtain the same number of Sword-patterned Stones are ranked based on the duration of opening spatial teleportation portals.
With thirteen Sword-patterned Stones, there is a probability of at least eighty percent to enter the top sixty-eight ranks.
"Alright, alright, alright."
Dharma Protector Hou Changming chuckled, with a laughter that was resolute and grand. In an instant, he transformed from his previous quiet demeanor into one of grandeur. He extended his wide sleeves and promptly addressed Zhang Qing, saying, "Hurry ahead and count the Sword-patterned Stones. This pleases me deeply, deeply indeed."
"Yes, Master."
Zhang Qing breathed a sigh of relief, seemingly without any issues arising. Able to free himself, he immediately took a step back.
"Those who exit the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords, gather to count the Sword-patterned Stones."
The stewards and senior disciples of the Divine Sword School on the side were also urging Su Yi and the others to count the Sword-patterned Stones and record their rankings.
Of course, apart from Su Yi, nobody would really believe that disciples like Xu Jiahui, dressed as outer disciples, would have Sword-patterned Stones on them.
However, when Xu Jiahui, Su Yi, and the others took out the Sword-patterned Stones from their respective clothing to count them, the group of senior disciples and stewards standing nearby were utterly dumbfounded, their eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
"Xu Jiahui, an outer disciple of the Thirty-Sixth Sword Peak, possesses fifteen Sword-patterned Stones!"
"Wang Fan, an outer disciple of the Thirty-Sixth Sword Peak, possesses ten Sword-patterned Stones!"
"Liu Ji, an outer disciple of the Thirty-Sixth Sword Peak, possesses eleven Sword-patterned Stones!"
"The Thirty-Sixth Sword Peak's outer disciple Qing Chao possesses eleven Sword-patterned Stones!"
"The Thirty-Sixth Sword Peak's outer disciple Zhang Qing possesses thirteen Sword-patterned Stones!"
As such voices spread, the gazes of the entire crowd immediately shifted in unison.
They are all from the Thirty-Sixth Sword Peak, and they are all outer disciples of the Thirty-Sixth Sword Peak. Yet, each of them possesses more than ten Sword-patterned Stones.
Even a group of elders were moved, in an instant, numerous subtle auras, even fell directly upon Xu Jiahui, Wang Fan, and others.
"What is your name, and where is your emblem?"
It was Situ Muyang's turn, as he gazed at the surprisingly young boy in front of him, both the stewards and older disciples were somewhat taken aback.
Moreover, in order to tally the Sword-patterned Stones, the emblem of the Divine Sword School is also necessary. The Sword-patterned Stones can potentially accumulate points and can be directly added to the emblem.
"My name is Situ Muyang, I don't have an emblem yet, but count me as part of the Thirty-Sixth Sword Peak."
Situ Muyang chuckled and took out the space bag. Although he was the sect leader's son, he had never been within the Divine Sword School since childhood, and he had no status within the school.
Inside the Battlefield of Ten Thousand Swords, Situ Muyang has been staying with Xu Jiahui and Su Yi. Therefore, at this moment, he naturally mentioned that he belongs to the Thirty-Sixth Sword Peak.
