Ling Tian Sword God

"Second round, first match, Qi Hongyan versus Shangguan Qiushui!"

As the referee's voice fell, the boisterous venue quickly quieted down.

Those who qualified for the second round were not weak. All who took the stage were elite fighters from the new generation Heavenly List, each an elite among elites, a prodigy of their generation.

Qi Hongyan and Shangguan Qiushui were undoubtedly among the top young talents.

The Heartless Young Master, Qi Hongyan, one of the three young masters of the Black Market, ranked fourth on the last Heavenly List, even higher than the Sky Heart Swordsman Feng Piaoling.

Shangguan Qiushui, a True Disciple of Divine Intent Sect, ranked fifteenth on the last Heavenly List, but her strength had progressed tremendously. She was a strong candidate, qualified to challenge the top ten in this convention.

From a superficial comparison, Shangguan Qiushui appeared to be slightly inferior in terms of both fame and strength. Her Heavenly List ranking was even eleven places lower.

The two meeting in the first match of the second round was definitely a major event. In everyone's eyes, no matter how strong Qi Hongyan was, it was unlikely she could defeat Shangguan Qiushui easily. Shangguan Qiushui would not just sit and await her doom and allow Qi Hongyan an easy victory. She would undoubtedly do her best to defeat her, promising the audience a spectacular show.

More importantly, these two were exceptionally beautiful women. Qi Hongyan, dressed in a black robe, could not conceal her fantastic curves despite its looseness. And Shangguan Qiushui, with her gentle and charming temperament, quiet and virtuous, was considered a goddess by many Righteous Path Disciples.

The duel between beauties added a lot of visual appeal to this competition.

"Who do you think will win this match?" some people couldn't help asking those next to them.

"Isn't it obvious? Of course, it's Qi Hongyan. Talents ranked lower on the Heavenly List are easily surpassed, but those in the top five possess extraordinary talent and comprehension, combined with the most advanced martial arts. Overcoming them is almost impossible."

"Not necessarily. In terms of aptitude and background, Shangguan Qiushui isn't bad either. The martial arts she cultivates should be comparable. Rankings are important, but not absolute. Haven't you seen how terrifyingly strong those juniors who didn't even make it onto the Heavenly List are? It won't be easy for Qi Hongyan to defeat Shangguan Qiushui; it might even be very difficult."

"We're just guessing. The Heavenly List rankings haven't changed for a long time. Qi Hongyan and Shangguan Qiushui must have undergone many changes. Our arguments are pointless. Let's just wait and see!"

Amid the ongoing murmurs of the crowd, Qi Hongyan and Shangguan Qiushui stepped onto the Dueling platform.

Qi Hongyan's weapons were two blades attached to her gauntlets, resembling a mantis's forelimbs, radiating a chilling light.

"Meeting me in the first round, miss, your luck is terrible."

Qi Hongyan's voice was frigid, as if she held a piece of cold ice in her mouth, sending shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it.

"We shall see."

Shangguan Qiushui slowly drew her long sword. Her opponent was a top-tier expert, ranked fourth on the Heavenly List. She could not afford to be careless, nor could she allow herself to lose confidence by underestimating her own abilities.

"Flowing Waters Pay Homage!"

Shangguan Qiushui was the first to strike. Her swordsmanship was incredibly gentle. Her sword moved like willow catkins swaying in the wind, drifting naturally, yet it concealed a keen edge.

Qi Hongyan stood motionless, only moving to intercept as the Sword Light descended.

CLANG!

Sparks scattered. Shangguan Qiushui's Sword Light was parried by Qi Hongyan's twin blades. Moreover, her sword blade had imperceptibly become coated with a layer of frost, exuding a biting chill.

HISS...

Wisps of cold mist rose from Shangguan Qiushui's right hand, which held the sword. During the brief exchange, the chilling energy had seeped into her palm, causing frostbite.

This strike not only contains substantial True Qi but also a potent chilling power.

Ling Chen narrowed his eyes. He had observed every detail of their battle. Qi Hongyan has excelled in the finer points. As a Young Master of the Black Market, she has undoubtedly killed many, and her combat experience is far richer than that of Sect Disciples. This made him somewhat worried for Shangguan Qiushui.

Nearby, Nie Wu Xiang looked grave and said, "This should be one of the ultimate techniques of the Black Market, the Mysterious Yin Energy!"

Mysterious Yin Energy, a Sky Apex Realm martial art, is an insidious and invisible internal force. It is highly venomous and infamous in the Jianghu.

On the Dueling platform, Shangguan Qiushui's gaze turned serious. True Qi flowed from her palm into her long sword. Instantly, a green halo rippled across the blade, shattering the frost.

"Take this! Seven Swords Linked!"

Shangguan Qiushui shouted, her figure suddenly flickering. Illusions of her filled the Dueling platform, making it impossible to distinguish the real from the false. Reacting swiftly, Qi Hongyan abruptly turned and thrust her twin blades to her left. She intercepted Shangguan Qiushui, who had already reached her flank and was slashing down with her sword.

The blades clashed, and sparks flew once more.

Shangguan Qiushui had used her ultimate technique, but Qi Hongyan's reaction was too sharp, leaving no opening to exploit. The surprise attack had failed.

One sword, two swords... five swords! Six swords!

With the seventh sword, Shangguan Qiushui leaped, her form multiplying into three. All three figures brandished their long swords, slashing down towards Qi Hongyan.

Under Shangguan Qiushui's storm-like assault, it was no small feat for Qi Hongyan to block the first six swords. However, the seventh sword possessed significantly enhanced force and sharpness compared to its predecessors.

CLANG!

But in the next instant, Qi Hongyan moved. Her figure flickered and seemed to vanish, reappearing behind Shangguan Qiushui.

In the critical moment, Shangguan Qiushui could only use her treasure sword to defend her back against Qi Hongyan's elusive counterattack. Although she blocked the edge of her opponent's twin blades, the powerful impact sent her flying.

Flipping in mid-air, Shangguan Qiushui plunged her sword into the Dueling platform's surface to arrest her momentum.

"You've lost!"

Qi Hongyan's voice suddenly rang out. Her speed reached an astonishing level. She leaped into the air, flickering multiple times to appear before Shangguan Qiushui, then swept towards her like a whirlwind.

Steadying herself, Shangguan Qiushui forcefully thrust her treasure sword into the Dueling platform before her. Instantly, a True Qi Wall materialized in front of her.

BOOM!

The Dueling platform trembled faintly. The air distorted as azure Air Energy and frigid Yin Energy filled their vision. Shockwaves of residual power spread out in all directions.

PUFF!

The True Qi Wall shattered. The skin between Shangguan Qiushui's thumb and forefinger on her sword hand split open. Her chest felt as if struck by lightning, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood as her body was flung backward.

Damn it!

As she was sent flying, Shangguan Qiushui gritted her silver teeth and, with her last ounce of strength, hurled her treasure sword. The sword shot towards Qi Hongyan like a beam of light.

Startled by the suddenly thrown treasure sword, Qi Hongyan could only cross her twin blades before her chest to defend. The Sword Light struck the point where her blades intersected, creating a loud metallic clang.

Although the Sword Light was blocked, some residual force penetrated her defense, causing Qi Hongyan's face to pale slightly and a trickle of blood to seep from the corner of her mouth.

It's over.

Ling Chen shook his head. Shangguan Qiushui's final move was somewhat unexpected, but the disparity in their strength was too great. In the end, Qi Hongyan only suffered a minor injury; it hadn't posed a significant threat.