Ling Tian Sword God

Two days later, Ling Chen bid farewell to the Lin Family and embarked on his journey to the City of Thunder.

After leaving the Lin Family, Ling Chen did not immediately head for the City of Thunder. Instead, he ventured into the wilderness near Green Snake Lake. He had just completed refining the Yin Dragon Essence Blood and hadn't experienced any battles yet. If he didn't stretch his muscles and find someone to spar with, he would find it difficult to utilize this new power adeptly.

Arriving at a clearing, Ling Chen sensed tremors in the forest ahead. Three powerful Martial Artists were besieging a Three-Star Beginner Level Exotic Beast, and the battle was intense.

With a swift movement, Ling Chen closed the distance to within thirty feet of them.

"Who are you?"

The three men felt a chill run down their spines. Seeing Ling Chen suddenly so close, they were astonished, their faces turning pale.

"Don't worry, gentlemen. I'm here to help you fend off the enemy." Ling Chen smiled, looking at them unhurriedly.

"You alone?"

Seeing Ling Chen's youth, the three men were clearly skeptical.

Ling Chen wasted no more words and turned his gaze to the Three-Star Beginner Level Exotic Beast. The creature was a giant Lion-Tiger Beast, its fur gleaming with a silver sheen, looking incredibly fierce and formidable.

"Watch this!"

Ling Chen had no intention of drawing his sword. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and took a firm stance, appearing ready to engage the Lion-Tiger Beast in bare-handed combat.

"Is this kid crazy? Trying to wrestle a Three-Star Beginner Level Exotic Beast?"

"He looks presentable, but it turns out he's an idiot."

"Let's move further away, lest we get dragged into his mess."

All three retreated, fearing they would be implicated by Ling Chen.

The Lion-Tiger Beast's enormous eyes also held a mocking gleam. Obviously, in its view, this human was indeed a fool. Trying to pluck hairs from a tiger's head was simply courting death.

ROAR!

With a loud roar, the ground seemed to tremble violently. Then, the Lion-Tiger Beast pounced at Ling Chen like a famished tiger lunging for its prey.

"Bring it on!"

Ling Chen extended his hands. His right hand pressed down on the Lion-Tiger Beast's head while his left hand supported its jaw, firmly locking it.

Simultaneously, the impact pushed Ling Chen back several steps. However, he stopped after retreating just three steps, effectively halting the Lion-Tiger Beast's momentum.

No matter how hard the Lion-Tiger Beast struggled, it couldn't force Ling Chen back even half a step.

"You're pretty strong, big fellow."

A smile touched Ling Chen's lips. In the past, competing in strength with a Third Grade Demonic Beast? That would have been courting death, something he wouldn't have even dared to imagine. This was because the strength of an Exotic Beast and a human of the same level were not in the same league. Besides, Ling Chen had not yet reached the Grand Master realm.

"How about you take a punch from me?"

Suddenly swinging his fist, Ling Chen's eyes blazed as he executed a move from the "Azure Mountain Fist," striking the Lion-Tiger Beast's head.

Beneath his fist, an overbearing power, like an imposing green mountain, blasted forth.

The Azure Mountain Fist was a Lower-grade Heaven Level fist technique from the Divine Intent Sect. Ling Chen had learned this fist technique for self-defense during his frequent visits to the Scripture Pavilion with Ling Tianyu. However, he usually relied on swordsmanship to combat foes, so he seldom, if ever, used fist techniques.

BANG!

His fist, like cast iron, slammed into the Lion-Tiger Beast's head. With a loud thud, the Lion-Tiger Beast's massive body was sent flying. It rolled several times on the ground before struggling back to its feet.

A trace of fear was visible in its enormous pupils.

"Damn, is this kid even human?"

"Terrifying! His physical strength can actually match a Third Grade Demonic Beast!"

The three men who had retreated far away were dumbfounded by this scene. The battle unfolding before their eyes was simply too astounding.

"Big fellow, you look quite impressive. You're qualified to be my mount. How about giving me a ride to the City of Thunder?"

Ling Chen looked at the silvery Lion-Tiger Beast. The Martial World Conference was only about ten days away. From here, even at the fastest pace, it would take seven or eight days to reach the City of Thunder. Moreover, there might be delays along the way. However, if he could use the Lion-Tiger Beast as a mount, the travel time could be more than halved, making it quite ample.

Upon hearing this, the Lion-Tiger Beast shook its large head vehemently, clearly unwilling. What a joke! it thought. I, a dignified Third Grade Exotic Beast, the ruler of this wilderness, serving as a mount for a human? How could I face other Exotic Beasts after this?

"What, unwilling? You'll be willing even if you're not!"

A sharp glint flashed in Ling Chen's eyes. In the next moment, his body shot forward like an arrow. With a flash, he appeared behind the Lion-Tiger Beast. Then, with a sudden leap, he landed squarely on its back.

Being mounted by Ling Chen sent the Lion-Tiger Beast into a frenzy, and it thrashed wildly, trying to throw him off. But Ling Chen clamped his legs firmly around the Lion-Tiger Beast's torso, and his fists, imbued with fierce, powerful force, rained down on its head like hailstones.

Under such a bombardment, the Lion-Tiger Beast was beaten into a daze. What made it extremely aggrieved was that this human's strength was even greater than its own. Before him, it was completely suppressed, unable to leverage any of its advantages as an Exotic Beast.

Pinning the Lion-Tiger Beast's head to the ground, a smirk played on Ling Chen's lips. "Do you submit or not?"

However, even though beaten black and blue, the Lion-Tiger Beast still showed no sign of yielding.

"Since that's the case, I might as well just slaughter you."

Ling Chen shook his head, seemingly disappointed. He then drew his Cloud-hidden Sword, resting it on the Lion-Tiger Beast's neck. "My request isn't unreasonable. Just give me a ride to the City of Thunder, and I'll let you return. You can continue being the ruler here. A pity, you stubbornly choose death."

As he finished speaking, Ling Chen's Treasure Sword was about to fall.

Only then did the Lion-Tiger Beast vigorously nod its head, finally agreeing.

"This person actually tamed the Lion-Tiger Beast."

Witnessing this, the three onlookers were even more shocked. Defeating a Lion-Tiger Beast might not be difficult, but taming one was more than ten times harder. They never imagined Ling Chen would succeed.

However, Ling Chen had only temporarily subdued the Lion-Tiger Beast, not truly tamed it. Once he reached the City of Thunder, he would naturally, as promised, release this Lion-Tiger Beast.

"Gentlemen, I have urgent matters to attend to. Farewell."

Ling Chen mounted the Lion-Tiger Beast and, from its back, cupped his fist towards the three men from a distance.

"Please, go ahead, young hero!"

The three men hastily returned the gesture.

Ling Chen was accustomed to such shifts in attitude. This was the way of the Jianghu. Strength determined how others treated you; only the strong earned respect.

GIDDYUP!

Ling Chen retrieved a horse whip from his Heavenly Mansion Ring, cracked it on the Lion-Tiger Beast's flank, and rode off, leaving a trail of dust.

After Ling Chen departed, the three men began to discuss among themselves.

"Look at the direction he's heading... it seems to be towards the City of Thunder. Could he be going to participate in the Martial World Conference?"

"That should be it. In this short month, who knows how many martial arts Experts from all over the Five Kingdoms have rushed to the City of Thunder. At least a thousand, I'd say."

"Indeed. This kind of grand event only occurs once every three years, so how could one miss it? However, most people, like us, are just going to be spectators, to broaden our horizons. This stage still belongs to the young talents of the major Aristocratic Sects."

"Yes, that young man subdued the Lion-Tiger Beast with such ease; his martial arts are unfathomable. He must be some Sect's peerless genius. He will surely make a great showing at this Martial World Conference."