"So, the kid finally decided to step onto the stage. Let me deal with him." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

From the Sky Void Palace’s side, Xie Feng’s eyes lit up. He had been holding back, waiting for Ling Chen to make the first move.

"Don’t rush. Let the others test his strength first."

Right as Xie Feng was about to act, Feng Piaoliu stopped him. Given Xie Feng’s tendency to underestimate his opponents, it was highly likely he would lose to Ling Chen. Only when Xie Feng recognized Ling Chen’s strength would he stand a chance of winning.

"Fine."

Although Xie Feng wasn’t too happy, he still complied with Feng Piaoliu’s arrangements.

"Zhu Jiude of the Black Sand Gang, here to challenge!"

Before Xie Feng could move, another person quickly leaped into the center of the training field. He was a sturdy young man, nearly nine feet tall, with a muscular and imposing physique. Though his skin was swarthy and his build made him look like a brute, his facial features were surprisingly gentle, suggesting he was not one to act impulsively.

The Black Sand Gang, a second-rate sect in Aqua Country, has a heritage spanning over a century and possesses considerable strength. Its founder, Elder Black Sand, had been a Sky Apex Realm expert, and currently, several Grand Master Experts oversee its operations.

"Ling Chen of the Divine Intent Sect. Please."

Ling Chen introduced himself, then made an inviting gesture.

"So, he’s Ling Chen, the son of Supreme Sky Feather Ling Tianyu."

"I heard someone once crippled his meridians, turning him into a good-for-nothing. It’s surprising he’s still showing his face in the Jianghu. Looking at him, he doesn’t seem like someone who was crippled at all."

"That’s old news! Not long ago, this Ling Chen was the one who grasped the Sword Intent Embryo and took first place in the True Disciple selection trial. That’s an extraordinary achievement."

"Really? It seems like I might learn a lot from watching this."

The young talents present were in heated discussion. Among the younger generation in the Five Kingdoms, the number of people who comprehended Sword Intent was exceedingly small. In a hundred years, it was extremely rare to witness someone comprehend the Sword Intent Embryo before the age of twenty.

Most people were optimistic about Ling Chen, not because of his current strength, but because of the potential he showed.

As for Ling Chen’s actual strength, they weren’t sure. At least, judging from his cultivation level, Ling Chen didn’t appear particularly strong.

Meanwhile, Zhu Jiude’s cultivation level was similar to Tong Chuan’s, whom they’d seen earlier, so presumably, his actual strength wouldn’t be too different either.

"Black Tiger Fist!"

Zhu Jiude threw the first punch, his astonishing strength like that of a ferocious tiger descending a mountain.

His black True Qi coalesced into a fierce torrent, blasting directly towards Ling Chen.

The fist’s momentum was incredibly fierce, parting the air before it.

Meanwhile, Ling Chen remained motionless on the opposite side, as though he were frozen in place.

Only when the Fist Strength was inches from his face did Ling Chen move. His seemingly casual step was perfectly timed to dodge his opponent’s fist.

The fist’s force struck empty air. Ling Chen spun, and his Heavenly Mansion Sword grazed Zhu Jiude’s arm.

In an instant, they separated, each retreating five meters.

SHLICK!

The next moment, a rip appeared in Zhu Jiude’s sleeve, revealing a bloody gash beneath.

"How... when did this happen?"

Zhu Jiude was utterly bewildered. Just a moment ago, he had only felt a cool sensation on his arm, nothing more. He hadn’t realized that, in that instant, Ling Chen’s sword had wounded him.

"I lost."

Zhu Jiude looked at Ling Chen with a complex gaze. Although he’d lost inexplicably, he knew there was a significant gap in strength between him and Ling Chen.

"Thanks for the match."

Ling Chen gave a slight smile, offering a modest bow.

"This kid has some skills."

Xie Feng’s expression darkened. He suspected that even he might not be able to defeat Zhu Jiude so effortlessly.

"Brother Xie, you’re no match for him. Let it go."

At this moment, Xu Ruoyan’s light voice sounded in his ear.

Upon hearing these words, Xie Feng, who was initially a little wary, immediately dismissed all his doubts. A cold glint surged in his eyes as he said, "Junior Sister Xu, rest assured. This kid is just good at crushing weaker opponents. Against a truly formidable adversary, his cheap tricks are hardly worth mentioning."

"Brother Feng, Junior Sister Xu, just watch. I’ll show you how I defeat this kid."

Having said this, Xie Feng leaped into the center of the training field.

Once Xie Feng entered the field, Feng Piaoliu glanced at Xu Ruoyan, whose expression was frosty. "Junior Sister, your method of goading him isn’t very clever. You insisted on Xie Feng fighting Ling Chen; I doubt the outcome will be ideal."

"The result isn’t important. As long as we can gauge his true strength, that’s enough," Xu Ruoyan said coolly.

"Are you planning to fight Ling Chen here yourself?" Feng Piaoliu finally understood Xu Ruoyan’s true intentions, and he cast a pitying glance at Ling Chen. Since returning to the Sky Void Palace from the Divine Intent Sect, Xu Ruoyan had become exceptionally diligent, shedding her former laziness. Her cultivation had progressed by leaps and bounds. Although it was still at the Martial Arts Master Fourth-layer Peak, her current strength was a world apart from what it used to be.

Even if Ling Chen had comprehended Sword Intent, he would likely be no match for the current Xu Ruoyan.

In the center of the training field, Xie Feng stood twenty meters away, sizing up Ling Chen. Then he smiled coldly and said condescendingly, "Ling Chen, it’s indeed impressive that you’ve comprehended Sword Intent. But remember, in this world, the strong come first. Strength is all that matters. No one cares what you’ve comprehended; they only care how much strength you possess."

Ling Chen replied calmly, "You’re right, strength is all that matters. You... might barely be enough to make me use my full strength."

"Don’t be so conceited! Just because you’re a True Disciple of the Divine Intent Sect doesn’t put you on my level. With your current strength, you’re far from meeting the standards of a True Disciple in our Sky Void Palace!" Xie Feng showed no regard for the Divine Intent Sect disciples present, deliberately disparaging the average standard of their True Disciples.

"What do you mean by that? Are you looking down on the True Disciples of our Divine Intent Sect?"

"Such arrogant words! I wonder if Your Excellency has the guts to spar with our Brother Nie Wu Xiang?"

The Divine Intent Sect disciples present were very dissatisfied with Xie Feng’s tirade.

His claim that Ling Chen didn’t meet the Sky Void Palace’s True Disciple standards implied that the overall caliber of the Divine Intent Sect’s True Disciples was far inferior.

Feng Piaoliu frowned and chided Xie Feng, "Public opinion will naturally form on these matters. How dare you make such arbitrary judgments?"

This Xie Feng! Sparring is one thing, provocation is another, and singling out Ling Chen is tolerable. But why drag the entire Divine Intent Sect into it? He speaks without thinking, as if he revels in stirring up trouble!

Seeing Feng Piaoliu glare at him, Xie Feng immediately cupped his fists to the surroundings. "I am a straightforward person and tend to speak my mind. My apologies if I’ve caused any offense."

After speaking, he turned his sharp gaze to Ling Chen and said, "Ling Chen, whether my words are true or not, let the result of this battle prove it!"

Ling Chen raised his Heavenly Emperor Heavy Sword. "If I don’t defeat you within three moves, consider it my loss."

Upon hearing this, the entire crowd was startled.

The Divine Intent Sect disciples looked uneasy. This was Chiyu Mountain Manor, and Ling Chen was being far too reckless. Here, he represented not just himself but the entire Divine Intent Sect; he should have prioritized the sect’s reputation. How could he be so easily provoked into losing his composure? Defeating his opponent in three moves? That was easier said than done. If he failed, everyone would undoubtedly look down on him for his arrogance.

Worse still, people might think all Divine Intent Sect disciples were similarly boastful and impractical.