Ling Tian Sword God

In the early dawn, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, the entire arena began to churn with excitement.

Viewed from the sky, the vast City of Thunder was packed with people. Streams of people could be seen converging towards the martial arts competition ground in the Central Area, even though some time was still left before the competition's start.

At Thunder Roar Tavern, the members of the Divine Intent Sect were already heading out. Shangguan Hong said to Ling Chen, "Ling Chen, just do your best. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Ling Chen nodded. "What is meant to be mine will be mine. If it's not meant to be, forcing it is useless."

In the Martial Arts Tournament, everything depended on strength. With inadequate strength, wishful thinking was futile. Pouring all his heart and soul into the battle was what he needed to do.

「...」

About half an hour later, the fourth round of the Martial Arts Tournament officially began.

In the arena, all eyes were focused on the nine young heavyweights. As for the others of their generation, their light was completely overshadowed by these nine.

The nine figures took the stage one after another. Standing there, they looked vibrant, their auras soaring to the heavens. The Dragon Vein Qi emanating from their bodies resonated, and in the sky, dragons danced wildly as the wind and clouds shifted.

"It's surprising that Young Master of Myriad Dao, Nie Wu Xiang, and Feng Piaoliu, prominent figures of the young generation, all stopped at the Third Round and failed to enter the ranks of the young heavyweights."

"Yes, it's indeed regrettable, but it can't be helped. In previous Martial Arts Tournaments, they were strong enough to make it to the top three. But in this one, the competition is just too fierce. Their early elimination isn't entirely unexpected!"

"The nine young heavyweights vying for the crown are sure to have an earth-shattering battle! But it's unknown who will ultimately win the championship."

As people were discussing, the first ray of sunlight from the east struck the dueling platform.

It was time for the draw again.

The fourth round of the Martial Arts Tournament was still carried out in the form of ranking matches.

The nine young heavyweights would be divided into two groups. Ultimately, the first and second-place winners of each group would advance to the final four.

Then, from among these four, the top three would be determined.

This was the fairest form of competition.

Ling Chen walked onto the dueling platform, reached into the lottery box, and drew a numbered token. It was Group One.

Also in Group One were Xue Wu Ya, the 'Northern Snow Divine Sword'; Huo Yu; and Baili Xuance.

Group Two consisted of five people: Young Master Ye; Fu Tian Jue, the 'Raging Fire Mad Saber'; Qi Hongyan, the 'Heartless Young Master'; Bai Qingwei, the 'Shadow of The Sky Spirit'; and Xu Ruoyan.

There was a difference of one person between the two groups, but it couldn't be helped. With nine people competing for supremacy and divided into two groups, it was impossible to have an even number in both.

"Well, good thing Ling Chen isn't in Group Two."

Shangguan Qiushui let out a sigh of relief.

"The competition in both groups is comparable, but Group Two has Young Master Ye. It's lucky he's not in that group."

Nie Wuxue also nodded. However, the three individuals in Group One were no ordinary opponents. If Ling Chen wanted to secure second place, he had to defeat at least two of them.

Amidst the thunderous cheers of the crowd, the fourth round began swiftly.

The competitions for the two groups were held separately.

"First match in Group One: Ling Chen versus Huo Yu!"

As soon as the referee's words fell, the atmosphere in the audience instantly ignited.

Ling Chen, one of the representative talents of the new generation, had performed outstandingly, cutting his way through every obstacle. He had risen from being an underdog to joining the ranks of the heavyweights.

Huo Yu, one of the four young Grand Masters participating in this Martial Arts Tournament, was extremely powerful. Even top-ranking experts of the younger generation, like Nie Wu Xiang, had eventually fallen to him.

"Ling Chen versus Huo Yu—another clash between the new generation and a young Grand Master. Who knows who will be victorious."

"From an obvious standpoint, Huo Yu, with his Third Level Great Master cultivation, is three levels higher than Ling Chen. Judging by their battle records, Huo Yu is also superior. Out of a ten-point scale for victory, Huo Yu has seven points, while Ling Chen has about three."

"Yes, your analysis is reasonable. Barring any surprises, Huo Yu indeed has a greater chance of winning."

Many young elites were discussing amongst themselves. Even Nie Wu Xiang, with his Second Realm Grandmaster cultivation, had been defeated. For Ling Chen, who only possessed a Ninth-level Martial Master cultivation, to have come this far was already quite remarkable.

On the martial arts competition stage, two figures stood opposite each other.

A scorching and overbearing aura radiated from Huo Yu; he seemed utterly unbridled. Ling Chen, in contrast, appeared calm and composed, transcendent and steady in the face of this pressure.

"Ling Chen, is it? How does your strength compare to that of your Senior Brother Nie Wu Xiang?"

Huo Yu stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at Ling Chen with a condescending gaze, exuding an oppressive air.

Hearing this, Ling Chen glanced at Nie Wu Xiang before replying lightly, "The disciple has surpassed the master."

The corner of Huo Yu's mouth curled, and his pupils suddenly narrowed. "Is that so? I doubt it. Your Senior Brother Nie Wu Xiang could at least withstand three of my moves. You? I fear you won't even last three!"

"Then let's see!"

Sword Intent, like an unsheathed Divine Weapon, erupted from Ling Chen. The surrounding air crackled, sounding like cloth being torn.

"Small Achievement Peak Level Sword Intent!"

Not far from the dueling platform, Xue Wu Ya's eyes lit up slightly, a surprised look on his face as he recognized Ling Chen's level of Sword Intent.

Previously, the Sword Intent Ling Chen had displayed hadn't reached this peak; he had clearly been holding back.

"So, it's Small Achievement Peak Level Sword Intent. Is this the source of your confidence? But this level is still far from enough!"

Huo Yu waved his folding fan. As he opened it, an image of a Fire Phoenix emerged on its surface. When he infused it with his True Qi, the crimson True Qi seemed to coalesce into a Fire Phoenix that clung to the fan, then shot directly at Ling Chen's throat.

TING!

A profound, star-like gleam of sword light flashed in the void. Unseen, Ling Chen's Cloud and Water Sword had already left its sheath. Wielding his Small Achievement Peak Level Mountain and Water Sword Intention, his sword accurately struck the Fire Phoenix's head. Sparks scattered like a fiery rain.

With a flicker of his body, Ling Chen broke through the fiery rain and appeared before Huo Yu, his sword stabbing forward.

This sword strike was both sharp and imbued with the flowing grace of roaming through mountains and waters, utterly natural and unblemished by worldly effort. The thrust was so instinctive it was as if he were sketching a landscape painting with his sword.

The seventh move of Landscape Swordsmanship—Scenic Landscape!

"What?"

For the first time since the Martial Arts Tournament began, Huo Yu found himself at a disadvantage. Ling Chen's sword strike gave him an unblockable feeling. The artistic conception of the swordsmanship was too harmonious, leaving him no opening to exploit. Only now did he realize Ling Chen's formidability. His superior swordsmanship realm and the sheer exquisiteness of his techniques made Nie Wu Xiang pale in comparison.

WHOOSH!

The fiery wings behind Huo Yu suddenly spread wide, flapped fiercely, and his body retreated violently backward.