Ling Tian Sword God

The contestants from each group gathered near their respective martial arts competition stages. Each stage was presided over by a highly respected martial arts chivalrous expert, who would referee and decide the outcome of each battle.

In the VIP seats on both sides sat the leaders of the major sects, such as Myriad Dao Sect Leader Lu Youzhen, Heavenly Void Palace Master Xu Feihong, and Divine Intent Sect Leader Shentu Yan; all were conspicuously present.

Before long, under the watchful eyes of the multitude, the martial arts conference commenced.

The points competition for each group then unfolded with great intensity.

In Group Five, the first to take the stage were two promising young Martial Artists of the Sixth Realm. One specialized in Boxing, the other in Stick fighting. Both their martial arts were of a high grade. Boxing gloves and sticks clashed and collided, creating a violent roar as sparks flew everywhere.

After thirty rounds, the young talent using the stick technique ultimately proved slightly superior. Evading his opponent's fist, he shattered their defense with a single strike of his stick, clinching an early victory.

When the fight ended, a dragon-shaped energy could faintly be seen flying out from the defeated combatant and merging into the winner's body.

The Dragon Vein Qi has been seized.

Ling Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. Through his Mind's Eye, he could see the Dragon Vein Qi more clearly; an ordinary person might not be able to witness this scene.

"Second match, Yun Tianhe versus Hao Shan!"

Upon hearing this, Yun Tianhe sneered and leaped towards the dueling platform. His Light Skill had obviously improved significantly. He landed on the dueling platform without making a sound.

"I await your guidance!" Hao Shan, a man of average appearance, clasped his fists and said courteously.

"Guidance? I don't have time to guide you! One move and I'm sending you home!"

A glint flashed in Yun Tianhe's eyes as he swiftly drew the Jinghong Sword from his waist. When the Treasure Sword slashed out, it moved like a startled swan taking flight, swift and fierce beyond compare.

A layer of green glow was added to the edge of the Jinghong Sword, making the blade wider and sharper.

Yun Tianhe is turning his trump card into a regular move; his strength must have progressed a lot, Ling Chen raised an eyebrow.

Ling Chen was very familiar with this Green Edge Sword Technique. It used to be Yun Tianhe's strongest swordsmanship. For Yun Tianhe to use it right from the start... No one would begin with their strongest move. It clearly wasn't because he was taking his opponent seriously; more likely, he now possessed an even stronger trump card.

"Great Tablet Palm!"

Hao Shan had also earned his qualification to participate in the martial arts conference after going through several selection rounds, so he was no mere pushover. Faced with Yun Tianhe's fierce swordsmanship, Hao Shan executed a palm technique. Behind him, an ancient, weathered stone tablet seemed to materialize, making his palm strike as firm as a mountain and brimming with power.

Seeing this, Ling Chen nodded. This martial arts conference truly is full of hidden talents. Anyone able to participate wouldn't be a mediocre person.

However, when sword and palm clashed, Yun Tianhe still proved superior. He quickly took the initiative, while Hao Shan soon fell into a defensive posture. A prolonged defense is inevitably a losing one. Under Yun Tianhe's relentless pressure, Hao Shan only managed to hold on for a few moments before conceding defeat, sent flying off the dueling platform by a single sword strike.

"Yun Tianhe wins!"

The referee of Group Five secretly nodded. Yun Tianhe easily defeated a talented young opponent of the same cultivation level. He truly is the genius disciple of the Divine Intent Sect. He's certain to earn a place on the Heavenly List this time, and with strength like this, he should achieve a high ranking.

After defeating his opponent, Yun Tianhe also glanced towards Ling Chen, a hint of complacency in his eyes.

After being suppressed by Ling Chen for so long, I finally have the confidence to defeat him again!

At Yun Tianhe's look, Ling Chen simply shook his head and paid him no mind. His gaze turned to the other groups, where competitions were also in full swing.

Isn't that Xiao Yin?

On the dueling platform of Group Fifteen, Ling Chen saw a small and delicate figure; it was Ling Yin.

Ling Yin's opponent was a Myriad Dao Sect Disciple, a Martial Master Eighth Level, who seemed quite strong.

"Little girl, surrender. My sword doesn't stain itself with the blood of women and children!"

The Myriad Dao Sect Disciple sized up Ling Yin, then shook his head and said dismissively.

Hearing this, Ling Yin stuck out her tongue. "Rest assured, your sword won't be tainted with the blood of women and children, because you won't even be able to touch a single hair on my body."

"Arrogant!"

Feeling humiliated, the Myriad Dao Sect disciple seethed with anger, especially since the one who had shamed him was a mere girl who didn't even look like an adult.

In that case, I'll just have to teach her a lesson!

Drawing the Treasure Sword from his waist, the Myriad Dao Sect disciple executed an exquisite sword technique and lunged at Ling Yin.

Ling Yin just stood there, unmoving.

"Time for you to learn your lesson!"

However, just as the Myriad Dao Sect disciple charged, ready to make Ling Yin suffer, her small form abruptly vanished, replaced by an enormous Golden Sword Lion.

The Golden Sword Lion swung its paw, sending the Myriad Dao Sect disciple flying off the stage.

Having fallen from the martial arts competition stage, the Myriad Dao Sect disciple looked up at Ling Yin, his face a mask of utter shock. He saw Ling Yin smiling sweetly at him, while the Golden Sword Lion that had appeared moments before was now nowhere to be seen.

"It's an Illusion Technique!"

Cold sweat trickled down the Myriad Dao Sect disciple's back. He'd never imagined this seemingly weak little girl could possess such terrifying power!

"Such a powerful little girl! Already possessing such a strong illusion technique at this young age, it's only a matter of time before she leaves her mark on the Martial Arts Monument."

The referee for Group Fifteen, a female martial arts expert, watched Ling Yin's performance with eyes shining, a look of clear appreciation on her face.

After gaining victory, Ling Yin cast a sweet smile towards Ling Chen, like a kitten seeking its master's approval after accomplishing a task.

Ling Chen gave her a thumbs up from a distance, and only then did Ling Yin show a satisfied expression.

This girl... there's just no dealing with her, Ling Chen thought, shaking his head with a helpless smile, then his gaze shifted to another dueling platform.

On that dueling platform stood a young man whose figure was familiar to Ling Chen.

Is that the savage?

The "savage" Ling Chen spoke of was, naturally, Baili Xuance, whom he had met on the Great Snow Mountain.

Baili Xuance's opponent was a youth with a thick beard, tall and built like an ox, clearly possessing immense strength.

"Come on, Big Dumb Cow! Let's see who's stronger!"

Baili Xuance beckoned to the bearded youth with a finger, grinning.

"Brat, you dare underestimate me? Watch me punch you until you're kneeling and begging for mercy!"

Fury surged in the bearded youth's eyes. This opponent was just a nonchalant little punk, yet he dared to look down on him? He was undoubtedly courting death!

With that, he unleashed a fierce punch aimed straight at Baili Xuance's abdomen.

Facing the bearded youth's fist, Baili Xuance's smile didn't falter as he met the attack with a punch of his own.

BANG!

The two fists collided. The next moment, with a sickening CRACK!, the bearded youth's arm twisted unnaturally. He let out a painful scream and was sent flying off the dueling platform.