139: Chapter 139 Five Swords of Surging Waves, Heavenly Ranking Strength!

As the grand competition approached, the atmosphere in the outer sect of the Liuli Xuan Sect became increasingly tense.

Places like the Martial Arts Arena and the Sword Testing Platform were packed every day, with Disciples seizing the final moments to spar and hone their skills, hoping to achieve a better ranking in the grand competition.

The movements of the experts on the Heaven Ranking had become the focus of everyone's attention.

On this day, the area surrounding the largest "Geng-character" battle platform in the central Martial Arts Arena was already packed solid with onlookers.

Countless Disciples craned their necks in anticipation, their eyes filled with expectation.

Because today, the ninth-ranked expert on the Heaven Ranking, "Jingtao Sword" Liu Jingtao, would be publicly challenging an outer sect deacon Elder here!

This Elder was named Zhou, and his cultivation had already reached the Condensing Essence Seventh Level Early Stage; he was a veteran among the outer sect deacons, renowned for his steady and heavy "Rock Palm Technique."

An Elder battling a Genius from the Heaven Ranking was a rare sight, naturally attracting countless gazes.

Ye Tian, Liu Ruyan, and Leng Feng also arrived at the scene, standing slightly on the outskirts of the crowd.

Ye Tian also wanted to witness Liu Jingtao's strength with his own eyes.

On the battle platform, Elder Zhou stood with his hands behind his back, his expression gentle, his aura as steady as a mountain, possessing the natural demeanor of a senior.

Opposite him, Liu Jingtao, dressed in white, stood tall with a cold expression and sharp eyes; just by standing there, a fierce Sword Intent radiated naturally from him, making one dare not look directly at him.

"Jingtao, your sword technique has progressed rapidly, but while it has enough ferocity, it lacks variation. Today, our sparring is meant to verify our martial arts; we shall stop at the point of contact, so feel free to unleash your full ability."

Elder Zhou stroked his beard and smiled, his tone encouraging.

Liu Jingtao bowed slightly, his voice confident: "Many thanks to Elder Zhou for your guidance. I have recently gained some insights into the Dao of the sword and have created five sword stances; I ask that you please critique them, Elder."

His words were calm, yet carried a hint of arrogance.

A flash of surprise crossed Elder Zhou's eyes, then he nodded: "Good, let this old man see your new moves."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Jingtao moved!

"First sword, Startling Rise!"

He joined his fingers to form a sword, and the Sword Intent around him instantly erupted!

A blue Sword Qi burst forth from his fingertips, shooting straight toward Elder Zhou's center!

Before the Sword Qi even arrived, the terrifying sword pressure had already caused the Disciples in the front row below the stage to choke for breath!

Elder Zhou's gaze narrowed; not daring to be careless, he crossed his palms, and earth-yellow True Essence surged out, forming a thick, rocky "Rock Guardian" in front of him!

"Boom!"

The Sword Qi struck the stone shield, causing it to shake violently, and cracks spread instantly, but in the end, it blocked the strike.

Elder Zhou's figure swayed slightly, and the shock in his eyes grew stronger: "What fierce Sword Qi!"

"Second sword, Surging Waves!"

Liu Jingtao drifted forward, his sword fingers tracing, and the second Sword Qi was already released!

This strike was no longer a straight line; instead, it transformed into layers of sword waves, rolling toward Elder Zhou from all directions!

Elder Zhou let out a low shout, his palms striking out in succession, using force to break the finesse, scattering the sword waves.

However, the sword waves were endless, constantly wearing down his palm power.

"Third sword, Shore-Splitting Part!"

Just as Elder Zhou's True Essence had not yet stabilized, a bright light flared in Liu Jingtao's eyes, and the third sword was launched!

This strike was extremely fast!

A concentrated blue thread of Sword Qi instantly pierced through layers of palm wind, striking at the weak point of Elder Zhou's protective True Essence!

"Not good!"

Elder Zhou's expression changed slightly, and he hastily pulled back his palms to block.

"Shh!"

The protective True Essence was torn apart by the sword thread, Elder Zhou's sleeve was sliced open, and he retreated one step!

A chorus of exclamations erupted from below the stage!

Liu Jingtao had actually forced back the Condensing Essence Seventh Level Elder Zhou with only three sword strikes!

"Fourth sword, Angry Tide!"

Liu Jingtao's sword stance changed again; he seemed to merge with his Sword Intent, transforming into a blue tidal wave, launching a fierce assault on Elder Zhou!

Finger shadows filled the sky, and Sword Qi crisscrossed!

Elder Zhou was completely suppressed, forced to push his Rock Palm Technique to the limit, struggling to hold on, defending tightly, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that he had already fallen into a disadvantage!

"Fifth sword, Guixu Ji!"

Just when everyone thought the offensive was about to end, Liu Jingtao let out a long shout, and all the sword shadows and Sword Qi suddenly converged into a single point!

He pointed his fingers forward.

Where this strike passed, the air froze, and all things returned to silence!

A point of blue light at his fingertip carried a sense of annihilation!

Elder Zhou's pupils constricted, and he sensed a fatal threat!

He roared, pouring all his True Essence into his palms, executing the strongest defensive stance of the Rock Palm, "Embrace Mountain"!

"Hum!"

Finger and palm met; there was no explosion, only a hum!

The stalemate lasted only an instant!

"Pfft!"

Elder Zhou's protective True Essence shattered with a roar, his face turned pale, and he could not help but spit out a mouthful of blood. He flew backward, landing at the edge of the battle platform, barely steadying himself, but his breath was already chaotic, and he had suffered internal injuries!

Only five sword strikes!

The ninth-ranked expert on the Heaven Ranking, Liu Jingtao, with a cultivation of the Ningyuan Sixth Stage Peak, defeated an outer sect deacon Elder at the Condensing Essence Seventh Level Early Stage with five sword strikes!

The entire Martial Arts Arena was so quiet that the drop of a pin could be heard!

Everyone had their eyes wide open and mouths agape, looking in disbelief at the figure standing proudly on the battle platform!

A moment later, a heaven-shaking uproar erupted!

"Heavens! Five strikes! Senior Brother Liu only used five strikes to defeat Elder Zhou!"

"How is this possible? Elder Zhou is at the Condensing Essence Seventh Level!"

"Five Sword Strikes of Jingtao! Too terrifying! Is this the strength of the ninth-ranked expert on the Heaven Ranking?"

"Although Senior Brother Liu's cultivation is only at the Ningyuan Sixth Stage, I fear he already possesses the combat power of the Condensing Essence Seventh Level Peak! He has a chance to challenge for the top five this time!"

Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng also wore expressions of shock.

In her beautiful eyes, Liu Ruyan's gaze shimmered, and she whispered: "Liu Jingtao's sword technique is even more terrifying than it was half a year ago! This fifth sword, Guixu Ji, has already faintly touched the threshold of Sword Intent!"

Leng Feng gripped the sword in his hand, his eyes extremely grave, and said in a deep voice: "Very strong! I wouldn't be able to take the third strike."

As for Ye Tian, he had watched this sparring match calmly from beginning to end.

He had seen every detail of Liu Jingtao's sword strikes, the flow of the Sword Qi, and the application of True Essence clearly.

"Startling Rise, Surging Waves, Shore-Splitting Part, Angry Tide, Guixu Ji..."

Ye Tian silently recited the names of these five sword stances, a hint of gravity flashing in his eyes, "This Liu Jingtao is truly a Genius of the Dao of the sword.

These five sword strikes are executed in one breath, progressing layer by layer: surging, swelling, tearing, violent, and finally returning to annihilation.

Especially the final strike, Guixu Ji; it is no longer just simple power, but contains a hint of insight into the Concept of annihilation, its power is astonishing!"

He assessed inwardly: "This Elder Zhou's strength is no weaker, but rather stronger, than those two Condensing Essence Seventh Level deputy gang leaders of the Iron Eagle Gang back then; his Foundation is solid, and his palm technique is steady.

But in the face of Liu Jingtao's incomparably fierce sword technique with its profound Concept, he appeared stretched and clumsy, losing in just five moves.

Liu Jingtao's true combat power has definitely reached the Condensing Essence Seventh Level Peak, and can even rival those who have just entered the Eighth Level!"

Thinking of this, Ye Tian could not help but feel a hint of gravity.

And this was only the ninth-ranked expert on the Heaven Ranking!

Then, just how strong must the eight people ranked ahead of him be?

Especially the top three on the Heaven Ranking who are constantly out training.

Tyrant Blade Lei Zhen, shadow sword Luo Qiushui, Immovable Wisdom King Shi Gandang!

Just how terrifying must their strength be?

I fear that even a casual strike from them would have the power to overturn rivers and seas!

An unprecedented pressure welled up in Ye Tian's heart.

The outer sect is vast, and geniuses emerge in succession!

Although he had had fortuitous encounters and his strength had improved rapidly, wanting to achieve a good ranking in this grand competition, where heroes rise together, would be no easy task!

However, beneath the pressure, what welled up even more was a monstrous Battle Intent!

The stronger the opponent, the more worth it is to challenge them!

His Stellar True Essence is vast and majestic, the Taixu Star-Shift Steps are mysterious and unpredictable, the Starfall Finger has extremely strong penetrating power; all are Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques, and he even has the seed of Martial Dao Will as his strongest trump card!

He might not necessarily lack the power to fight!

Liu Jingtao sheathed his sword and stood, his gaze sweeping over the shocked crowd below the stage, and finally, crossing the crowd, it landed on Ye Tian.

That gaze carried arrogance as well as thick Battle Intent.

Ye Tian met his gaze, his own eyes also filled with intense Battle Intent.

The two's gazes collided once more; a fierce battle was already inevitable.

And the result of this sparring match instantly spread throughout the entire outer sect.

Casting a shadow over the hearts of all the Disciples who had designs on the seats of the Heaven Ranking.

The positions of these ten people on the Heaven Ranking were difficult to shake!