Ling Tian Sword God

"It seems we can't clearly see the fight anymore."

Ling Chen and Shangguan Qiushui were some distance away from the fifteenth group's duel platform. As the platform became increasingly blurred, it was naturally difficult for them to discern the state of the fight. It was likely that only the competitors of the fifteenth group could clearly see the situation now.

Ling Chen suddenly spoke, "Victory."

PFFT!

The next moment, a figure flew backward out of the martial arts competition stage. It was Luo Xibai.

Shangguan Qiushui was shocked. How could this be? She couldn't believe that Luo Xibai had lost so decisively. Although Ling Yin's talent for Illusion Technique was high, they had never witnessed it in action. To think that Ling Yin had actually become this strong.

Underneath the stage, many were watching this match, and discussions were everywhere.

"Unbelievable! Luo Xibai, ranked ninth on the Heavenly List, actually lost—and to a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl!"

"Stupid! Do you still think Ling Yin is just a young girl? Even Luo Xibai was defeated by her Illusion Technique. How many people here do you think can surpass her?"

"That's true. Luo Xibai was a genius qualified to compete for the top ten. Even he failed. Those who can break through Ling Yin's Illusion Technique are few and far between."

"This generation has too many rising stars. Even Experts in the top ten of the Heavenly List cannot guarantee they will pass the first round."

"Who cares? The more intense the competition, the better. I'm just here to spectate since I won't make it past the first round. The more exciting the fights, the better!"

There were thousands associated with the Martial World Conference, but how many could rise to fame? Even fewer could leave their name on the Martial Arts Monument. So, being able to watch more intense, high-level bouts was what most people desired; this was more practical.

The news of Ling Yin defeating Luo Xibai had just begun to ripple through the crowd when another startling piece of news emerged: an unknown, dark-clothed youth had defeated Du Yifeng, ranked eleventh on the Heavenly List and known as the "Blade of the Benevolent King."

Undoubtedly, this was another dark horse.

Furthermore, Baili Xuance also defeated Huang Shenyi, known as "Speed Surpassing Dust." Thus, including Wei Qingyi, the number of unexpectedly emerging geniuses was clearly increasing.

Xue Wu Ya, the "Northern Snow Divine Sword," stood with his hands clasped behind his back, witnessing everything. A slow smile spread across his lips. "Interesting. It seems that before defeating Young Master Ye, I'll be able to engage in some interesting fights."

"They are just children, engaging in playful squabbles. Ultimately, they can't hold a candle to us," Fu Tian Jue, the "Raging Fire Mad Saber," responded from the other side, his expression indifferent.

"That may not necessarily be the case," said Bai Qingwei, the "Shadow of The Sky Spirit." She looked amused and ready to enjoy the show, stretching lazily. "Among the younger generation, there are still many threats. For example, your junior brother, the Young Master of Myriad Dao. I don't think you, Fu Tian Jue, would necessarily be able to defeat him."

"Humph! That boy should practice for another three years before trying to surpass me," Fu Tian Jue snorted, remaining noncommittal. "But what about you, Bai Qingwei? That girl's level of Illusion Technique might not be much inferior to yours. Don't tip over in a ditch and lose not only the competition but also your reputation."

Hearing this, Bai Qingwei's gaze also turned towards Ling Yin. Ling Yin's Illusion Technique was indeed very powerful; that much was undeniable. Its level was likely close to her own. If they were to truly face each other, it would depend on who possessed the stronger Illusion Technique and who could apply it more effectively.

Among the four of them, only Huo Yu remained silent. His gaze was always fixed on Young Master Ye. In Huo Yu's view, Young Master Ye was his greatest rival. His only goal was to defeat Young Master Ye; no one else mattered to him.

「Next round: Ling Chen versus Wei Qingyi!」

The fifth group finally welcomed a heavyweight clash.

"Be careful, your opponent is not simple," Shangguan Qiushui reminded him.

Ling Chen laughed noncommittally. "If my opponent isn't simple, do you think I am?"

He then tapped the ground with his foot. Almost simultaneously with Wei Qingyi, he appeared on the Dueling platform, the two standing fifty meters apart.

Wei Qingyi gripped his sword hilt lightly, stating word by word, "You're very strong, but this will be a tough fight for you."

Ling Chen chuckled lightly, "That's not necessarily the case."

Wei Qingyi frowned. Based on his estimate, he should have a fifty percent chance of defeating Ling Chen. It wasn't that he had no chance of winning, but for some reason, looking at Ling Chen's nonchalant expression, he felt completely unnerved, experiencing for the first time a sense of being psychologically suppressed. Could it be that his estimate was wrong?

"Senior Brother Wei, defeat him, and you'll be the top contender in Group Five!"

At this moment, the voice of a cyan-clothed woman came from the spectators' stand.

Ling Chen followed the sound with his gaze. This cyan-clothed woman, like Wei Qingyi, also bore the emblem of the Cyan Robe Association on her clothes. They were obviously both geniuses from the Cyan Robe Association.

Securing first place in a group offered an advantage in the subsequent second round of eliminations. The top contender from each group would face the second-place contender from other groups. Conversely, second-place contenders would face the top contenders from other groups, a significantly more difficult prospect.

Hearing the cyan-clothed woman's shout, Wei Qingyi suddenly felt immense pressure. He shook his head with a wry smile in his heart. Defeating Ling Chen? Easier said than done. Even someone as self-confident as him could only do his best.

The Cloud-hidden Sword appeared in his left hand. With the sword still sheathed, Ling Chen calmly said, "That lady seems to want you to win very much. Give it your all for her."

Ling Chen saw through the nuances of the situation, but he wouldn't hold back. To hold back would be to show contempt for his opponent, and Wei Qingyi was undoubtedly a contestant worthy of being taken seriously.

"I will fulfill her wish." A glint flashed across Wei Qingyi's eyes.

CLANG!

Wei Qingyi's sword was drawn. Sword light flashed, and an invisible sword pressure rushed towards Ling Chen. The calm air instantly rippled like the surface of water, stretched to an extreme.

SNAP!

Both the sword pressure and the rippling air were split apart. Ling Chen's sword was only halfway out of its scabbard.

HISS! HISS! HISS!

Their Sword Momentums clashed, and intense sparks suddenly erupted in the air between them.

"Green Cloud Sword Technique, Zhan Po!"

The clash of Sword Momentum was merely the prelude. Wei Qingyi immediately unleashed the ultimate move that had once defeated Leng Wu Xue. As the sword moved, the wind howled, and the sword qi was chilling.

PUFF!

Another crisp sound, and the sword wind and sword qi shattered. Ling Chen's sword tip had just emerged from the sword scabbard, its light flickering brightly like a star.

His sword isn't even fully drawn, yet he can break my Sword techniques with just Sword Momentum!

Wei Qingyi was taken aback. He thought he had already estimated Ling Chen highly, but his opponent was even more formidable than he had imagined.

But so what? His true strength was only now about to be unleashed!

Suddenly, Wei Qingyi's aura sharpened intensely. The air above his head was abruptly split in two. An invisible power tore through the space, soaring straight up like a path into the blue sky.

"This is Sword Intent! Moreover, it's Lesser Achievement Sword Intent!"

The referee for the fifth group stood up from his seat, aghast.