Chapter Ninety-Eight: Astonishing Everyone

"Exquisite Jade Shield!"

In a rush, Liyuan let out a delicate shout, and a translucent green barrier enveloped her protectively.

Bang!

A black water orb collided with her, and upon contact, Liyuan was thrown backward, the shield shattering instantly. A bitter taste filled her throat as she spat a mouthful of vital blood, her face turning pale.

"Wang Zhen," called out "Liyuan," stepping forward to support her on stage.

The presiding elder appeared and boomed, "Dongfang Yu of Qingyang Sect is the victor!"

"The second round of matches will commence after two incense sticks burn down. The five winners should each restore their spiritual energy and prepare for battle!"

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At the Qingyang Sect side, a few sat cross-legged on the ground.

"Junior Brother Lin, how confident are you about facing Dong Wuwang?" Liu Feng looked toward Lin Cheng and asked.

Lin Cheng pondered briefly. "If he had used seventy to eighty percent of his strength in the previous battle against Wang Zhen, then he has no chance against me."

"Oh?" Liu Feng was genuinely surprised. With his insight, he knew that Lin Cheng could not completely defeat Dong Wuwang with just that one lower-grade sword technique. So this junior brother must have an even stronger trump card?

"Junior Brother, come on, tell us what treasures you found in that cave..." Han Meng’s curious eyes sparkled.

Niu Shisan said, "Senior Sister, this is a public place. Can we wait until we get back to talk?"

Feeling their eager gazes, Lin Cheng smiled awkwardly. "Actually, it was just a cultivation technique and some spirit stones. Nothing much else. I’ll show you later."

Amid their banter, they did not notice Dongfang Hao nearby withdrawing his gaze from Lin Cheng and whispering something to Dongfang Yu.

Before his older brother, Dongfang Yu suppressed his pride, listened attentively, nodding occasionally with a ruthless gleam in his eyes.

After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Feng looked seriously at Lin Cheng. "Junior Brother Lin, if we meet in battle, please fight for me. This concerns the honor of Qingyang Sect. I always feel Dong Wuwang is far more complicated than he appears. I can’t be certain of defeating him..."

"I hope you can defeat him and reclaim the glory for our sect!"

Hearing their senior brother’s words, a collective sense of honor quietly stirred within the group.

Lin Cheng put away his casual demeanor and nodded firmly.

Two incense sticks burned quickly. The five victors took their places on the martial stage: Liu Feng, Lin Cheng, Dong Wuwang, Yu Zhantian, and Dongfang Yu.

The elder presiding over the Purple Yang Sect announced loudly, "This round will be divided into two groups. Among five contestants, one will have a bye. We will now choose the match-ups..."

As he finished, the pointer on a circular dial began to spin.

Slowly, it came to a halt.

"First match: Lin Cheng of Qingyang Sect versus Dongfang Yu of Qingyang Sect!"

Cheers and whispers erupted from the crowd.

Two from the same sect facing off—who would yield?

"Do you think Lin Cheng and Dongfang Yu will really fight?"

"I think there’ll be an epic battle. One’s a rising dark horse; the other, a famed prodigy. Neither will give up this chance to make a name for themselves!"

"Who do you think will win?"

"I'm rooting for Lin Cheng. That terrifying sword technique still haunts me!"

"Let’s wait and see!"

...

While the crowd buzzed below, the second match’s contestants appeared: Dong Wuwang of Purple Yang Sect versus Liu Feng of Qingyang Sect!

Before this, these two were the favorites to win the championship, so their early clash excited everyone.

The happiest, however, was Yu Zhantian from Xisha Sect, who got a bye and secured a top-three position.

On the stage, two figures stood with their arms folded.

"Lin Cheng, go kill him!"

"Take him down, Dongfang Yu!"

Lin Fatty and others shouted loudly from below, cheering for Lin Cheng.

Many looked on with strange expressions—was this going to be a fight between sectmates?

Dongfang Yu’s face darkened like ink. He glared fiercely at Lin Fatty and others in the crowd, then turned to Lin Cheng with murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"Lin Cheng, out of respect for our sect, if you retreat on your own, I won’t attack you."

Lin Cheng retorted, "Can you stop putting on this fake act? You’ve wanted to strike me for a while now. Come on! Let me see your best move."

"You... fine! In that case, don’t blame me for being ruthless!" Dongfang Yu said, opening and closing the folding fan in his hand. His aura surged dramatically, the atmosphere shifting.

Peak Spirit King realm!

Lin Cheng laughed long and loud: "Good! Today I’ll bring you down with a single sword!"

The Azure Dragon Emerges!

A roar like a dragon resounded through the skies as his figure transformed into a hundred-foot azure dragon, howling to the heavens, its majestic power filling the arena.

This sudden display petrified Dongfang Yu on the spot.

What is this?

The crowd below was stunned, the overwhelming dragon aura compelling them toward submission.

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"Such a powerful presence!" Ximen Wudi exclaimed in astonishment.

Zhenyang Daoist, who had just stood up, slowly sat down again, exchanging a meaningful glance with Master Shen Shang. The message was clear.

This youth cannot be allowed to remain!

The Purple Yang Sect’s sect leader fixed his gaze on the white dragon Lin Cheng had manifested, eyes gleaming as he contemplated.

The Qingyang Sect’s headmaster looked at Master Cang Feng with puzzlement. This wasn’t the sword technique of their senior; could it be another inheritance from the imperial realm cave?

It seemed the matter here was settled. It was time to have a talk with this young Lin Cheng. If they could replicate a cultivation technique or martial art from his inheritance, it would be a tremendous boon for the sect.

Master Cang Feng quietly observed the dragon on the stage, as if seeing through the dragon’s body to Lin Cheng’s true form inside. He murmured doubtfully: Genuine divine dragon aura? Sword qi condensed within the incarnation?

What kind of supernatural being could create such a sword technique? It was unfathomable, incomprehensible, and unpredictable.

This sword technique had already transcended his understanding of swordsmanship. Its essence was no longer a mere sword move. Everyone knows a sword has a spirit, but few realize that a sword technique also possesses a soul.

Indeed, at this moment, in Master Cang Feng’s eyes, Lin Cheng’s sword technique had gained a soul—a divine connection.

"Big Brother Lin used this sword technique again..." Xiaocui linked arms with Xu Xin’er, admiringly saying.

Xu Xin’er’s eyes sparkled as well. Half a year ago, to save them, Lin Cheng had used this technique and almost defeated a Purple Yang Sect elder of the profound pill realm. At that time, he was only at the minor spirit realm.

Watching from below, Dong Wuwang’s eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly calculating whether this technique could break through his invincible armored body used at full strength.

"Senior Brother, what kind of secret art is this?" Liyuan asked in a low voice from Xisha Sect, her beautiful eyes shining.

Wang Zhen and Yu Zhantian exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other’s eyes.

Yu Zhantian said, "This isn’t a secret art. This sword technique..."

"Is very powerful!" Wang Zhen couldn’t help but praise.

On the stage, Dongfang Yu no longer bore his usual calm confidence. An unprecedented sense of crisis filled his entire being. He knew he might not withstand this blow!

No! Absolutely not! How could I, Dongfang Yu, be defeated by a mere novice who’s only been training for a little over a year?

Especially when that person is Lin Cheng.

Though he was full of disbelief and unwillingness, he could not deny that Lin Cheng now posed a fatal threat.

"Fan of the Heavenly Dominion!"

"Heavenly Warrior Armor!"

"Charge!"

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