321: Chapter 321 I'll Play Along to the End

No, it wasn't that he had disappeared.

Gao Ling suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck.

He turned his head in horror, only to see that Ye Tian had appeared less than three feet behind his side at some point, those eyes looking at him coldly.

The surrounding ice mist had no effect on Ye Tian!

Because he had already activated the fire-attribute Sword Qi within his Five Elements Sword Body to protect himself, dispersing all the approaching cold air.

"Flashy but useless," Ye Tian commented indifferently. His right hand once again formed a sword finger, piercing directly towards the Jianjing Point on Gao Ling's right shoulder, which held the sword!

Gao Ling was scared out of his wits; he hurriedly swung his sword to block while trying to retreat.

"Clang!"

The sword finger struck the blade, and the Sword Qi passed directly through it, piercing into the Meridians of his right shoulder like a steel needle!

"Third move," Ye Tian's voice sounded like a death sentence.

He spun around, his left hand turning from a palm into a claw, five fingers reaching for Gao Ling's throat!

"I conc—" Gao Ling was decisive, immediately wanting to admit defeat.

"Too late." A cold light flashed in Ye Tian's eyes. His claw technique didn't change, but at the moment it was about to touch Gao Ling's throat, it transformed into a palm. True Essence surged from his palm as a Heart-Piercing Palm struck Gao Ling's Shanzhong Point on his chest.

"Pfft!"

Gao Ling's breastbone made a "crack" sound, and he was sent flying backward, coughing up blood and crashing ten zhang away.

He clutched his chest, his face pale as paper, his eyes filled with terror.

He had lost, lost so completely. Even after using an insidious Talisman, he was still defeated by Ye Tian within four moves, his right arm crippled and unable to fight anymore!

He hadn't even managed to touch the corner of Ye Tian's clothes!

The entire venue fell into a dead silence once again.

Suppressing his cultivation to the True Martial Fifth Stage, in four moves, he completely defeated Gao Ling, who was also at the True Martial Fifth Stage!

What terrifying combat awareness was this?

This was definitely not something that could be brought about by "fortuitous encounters" and "Realm" alone!

This was a skill truly forged through a thousand trials of blood and fire!

The voices that had previously questioned Ye Tian's "unstable Foundation" and "reliance on external forces" completely vanished at this moment.

The looks many Disciples gave Ye Tian had changed from initial doubt to deep awe.

Crushing someone of the same level, there was no suspense at all!

"Good!" Lei Zhen couldn't help but roar, his face full of excitement.

Han Li's fingers, which were playing with the Thunder Pearl, stopped, his face darkening.

He hadn't expected that even with suppressed cultivation, Gao Ling would be so vulnerable before Ye Tian.

The strength Ye Tian displayed far exceeded his estimations.

In the guest seats, Ling Juexiao slowly opened his half-closed eyes. Looking at the fallen Gao Ling, the indifference he had maintained finally began to crack, and the corner of his eye twitched slightly.

The "fair" match he had meticulously designed, intended to make a joke out of Ye Tian or force out some of his trump cards, had instead become a stage for Ye Tian to showcase his actual combat abilities, making his victory even more indisputable and his prestige even greater!

"The second challenge, Ye Tian wins," Elder Xing Tiexin's voice rang out. His gaze toward Ye Tian also held a hint of complexity. This boy was indeed extraordinary.

The Law Enforcement Disciples stepped forward and carried the heavily injured Gao Ling away.

Ye Tian adjusted his breathing slightly. Fighting while suppressing his cultivation required higher control over True Essence, but the consumption was actually not large.

His gaze swept toward the waiting area, where Zhao Yan's face was already pale, his eyes dodging, not daring to meet Ye Tian's gaze.

The other unfamiliar Inner Sect Disciples also looked at Ye Tian with gazes full of solemnity.

Finally, Ye Tian's gaze turned once again to Pavilion Master Ling in the guest seats, and he spoke, "Pavilion Master Ling, two matches have passed.

For this third challenge, I wonder which 'expert' Your Excellency has prepared to verify Ye's Foundation?"

Ling Juexiao's face was gloomy as he slowly stood up.

He knew that the losses in the first two matches, especially Ye Tian's performance of crushing his peer in the second, had turned his talk of "verification" into a joke.

If he couldn't produce someone of sufficient weight for the third match, or force out Ye Tian's true "flaws," then his trip to the Heart-Questioning Arena would be a complete failure, merely serving to spread Ye Tian's fame!

His gaze swept behind him, then over the people from the Liuli Xuan Sect, finally settling on the feminine young man playing with the Thunder Pearl.

"Nephew Han," Ling Juexiao suddenly spoke, "I hear your thunder arts are profound, and you are a leader among the younger generation of the Liuli Xuan Sect.

This third match concerns the verification of 'Foundation' and, more importantly, the 'exchange' between the younger generations of our two sects.

I wonder, Nephew, if you would be willing to take the field and... spar a bit with young friend Ye, so that this Pavilion Master and Fellow Daoists may have our eyes opened?"

Han Li! A True Martial Tenth Level thunder art expert, and one of the Seven True Disciples of the Liuli Xuan Sect!

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole place was shaken! No one expected that for the third match, Ling Juexiao would actually name a True Disciple!

This had already far exceeded the scope of "verification"; it was clearly intended to drive Ye Tian into a corner!

It had to be said, this Ling Juexiao was an old fox with deep schemes!

"Ling Juexiao! You've gone too far!" Elder Tianshu was furious, his hair and beard bristling. His Sea Transformation Realm pressure could no longer be contained, exploding outward and charging directly at Ling Juexiao!

"Han Li is my True Disciple, with a cultivation of the tenth level. You want him to take the field and fight Ye Tian? Is this your so-called 'fairness'? Is this the way of your Wanren Sword Pavilion?!"

Perfected Qingxu's face also darkened.

Xing Tiexin's brow was even more tightly furrowed.

However, Ling Juexiao ignored Elder Tianshu's anger, simply looking at Han Li as he slowly stood up, and said indifferently, "Since it is a 'sparring exchange,' it is naturally focused on confirming Dao techniques and sharing insights.

This Pavilion Master believes that with Nephew Han's breadth of mind and poise, he will naturally know how to exercise restraint.

Besides, the style young friend Ye showed in the same-level battle just now was amazing. Surely he wouldn't be afraid to 'exchange' with someone stronger?

Only by clashing with the strong can one truly test their 'limits' and 'potential,' is it not?"

He once again swapped the concept of "fairness" for "exchange," implying that if Ye Tian didn't dare, it was because of fear and limited potential.

The pressure once again weighed down on Ye Tian.

A cold smile appeared on Han Li's face.

He looked at Ye Tian, his voice carrying a faint excitement: "Junior Martial Uncle Ling is absolutely right. A 'sparring exchange' between fellow Disciples to confirm what we've learned is a wonderful thing. Junior Brother Ye has god-given talent, having fought two consecutive matches with outstanding style.

As your Senior Brother, I also wish to ask for some pointers on thunder art insights. I just wonder... Junior Brother Ye, do you dare to exchange a few moves with me?"

He emphasized the word "exchange" heavily, a cruel light flashing in his eyes.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats. How would Ye Tian respond?

Agreeing was almost a certain death trap. Not agreeing would mean a blow to his momentum, greatly diminishing the advantage built in the first two matches.

Ye Tian looked at Han Li, and a long-absent, piercing Battle Intent slowly rose from his body.

He gently raised his hand and grasped the sword on his back.

"Since Senior Brother Han has such an elegant interest and wants to 'exchange' thunder arts..."

Ye Tian slowly drew his sword. The blade of the jingji sword emerged inch by inch, thunder clapped, and a thunderous Sword Intent far more terrifying than before erupted!

He no longer suppressed his cultivation. His True Martial Tenth Level Aura was released, confronting Han Li's Aura across the space!

"Then I, your Junior Brother, will have no choice but to see it through to the end!"

The jingji sword was completely unsheathed! The sword pointed at Han Li!

"However, blades have no eyes, and thunder arts are merciless. If during this 'exchange' I cannot hold back and injure Senior Brother, or... destroy Senior Brother's Dao Foundation, do not blame me for not warning you in advance!"