105: Final showdown, one-on-one rules

Above the Wentian Platform, the clamor, like a mountain tsunami, lingered and refused to subside.

Qingyun Sect, first!

This Sect, which for decades had been habitually associated with terms like “decline,” “weakness,” and “playing second fiddle,” actually ascended to the top of the leaderboard, symbolizing supreme glory, with a crushing momentum!

And the two strong contenders for the championship, Xuanhuo Sect and Heavenly Sword Manor, were like two Phoenixes whose feathers had been plucked in public, becoming a pathetic backdrop!

"Impossible... This is absolutely impossible..."

"Winning with zero casualties?! How... how did they do it?!"

"A conspiracy! There must be a conspiracy! It must be that Qingyun Sect, in collusion with Hundred Illusions Pavilion, used some underhanded scheme!"

Doubt, unwillingness, jealousy... all sorts of emotions, like a bursting dam, violently clashed within the camps of Xuanhuo Sect and Heavenly Sword Manor!

However, no matter how unwilling they were, how they roared.

They could not change the undisputed final ranking, personally decided by the Linglong Secret Realm!

...At the very top of the Wentian Platform, on the viewing Dragon Throne made of pure gold, the Monarch of Tiannan’s voice, full of supreme majesty, resounded once more!

"Silence!"

Just two words, yet they seemed to contain the terrifying power of words becoming law, instantly suppressing all the noise!

"I know that you all must have unwillingness in your hearts."

The Monarch of Tiannan slowly rose from the Dragon Throne. His profound eyes, which seemed to penetrate through ages, calmly swept over the faces below, each filled with unwillingness and doubt, and he slowly spoke.

"The Secret Realm free-for-all tests your wisdom, adaptability, and... teamwork ability."

"From the results, Qingyun Sect is undoubtedly the... king in this Dao!"

"But," he changed the subject, his voice suddenly becoming high-pitched and full of Battle Intent, "The Seven Sect Martial Gathering is the foremost event in my Tiannan Dynasty's Cultivator world! Its ultimate goal is to determine the... strongest individual who can truly represent the highest combat power of my Dynasty's younger generation!"

"Wisdom is certainly important."

"But individual valor is the... foundation for us Cultivators to establish ourselves!"

"Therefore, this Martial Gathering will add... a final battle!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was in an uproar!

"The final battle will return to tradition!"

The Monarch of Tiannan’s voice, like a final judgment, boomed in everyone’s ears!

"The top four Sects in the Secret Realm free-for-all, based on points—Qingyun Sect, Beast Taming Sect, Hundred Illusions Pavilion, and... Heavenly Sword Manor—will engage in a final... arena one-on-one challenge!"

"Through a drawing of lots, they will face each other in pairs! The ultimate winner will replace the ranking on the scoreboard and become the true... overall champion of this Seven Sect Martial Gathering!"

These subversive words left everyone present completely stunned!

They never expected that this outcome, which had already been settled, would have such an earth-shattering reversal!

Everyone's gaze, as if by prior agreement, instinctively and uniformly converged towards the Heavenly Sword Manor’s camp!

Converging towards that white-robed figure!

Sword Without Dust!

... "Let the drawing of lots begin!"

Under the gaze of all, a huge golden lottery cylinder was presented.

Four jade slips, each representing one of the four great Sects, were publicly placed inside.

Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the Monarch of Tiannan’s hand as it slowly reached into the cylinder!

Finally, the first jade slip was drawn.

— Qingyun Sect!

Immediately following, was the second!

— Heavenly Sword Manor!!!

A fated confrontation!

An unavoidable... final battle!

"Hahahahaha!"

A wild laugh, filled with endless delight and killing intent, suddenly erupted from Sword Without Dust’s mouth!

He slowly raised his head.

His handsome face had lost all trace of its previous calm, replaced only by a distorted... ferocity born of anger!

He stared intently at the slender figure in the Qingyun Sect camp, who remained as calm as still water!

Lin Ye!

A terrifying Sword Intent, as if it wanted to tear this entire world apart, suddenly erupted from his body!

The hard black meteorite ground beside him was actually plowed with terrifying sword marks under this terrifying Sword Intent!

"Today, on this Wentian Platform!"

"I, Sword Without Dust, will, in front of all the heroes of the world, completely... tear apart your false 'myth'!"

"Use your blood to wash away... the humiliation of my Heavenly Sword Manor!"

Facing this overwhelming killing intent, Lin Ye’s face remained calm.

"Anytime, I'll be there."

... "Final Battle, first round!"

"Qingyun Sect, against, Heavenly Sword Manor!"

"Disciples from both sides... ascend the stage!"

As the Monarch of Tiannan’s voice, full of supreme majesty, rang out, two figures walked onto the arena!

At the two ends of the arena, they faced each other from afar.

On one side, was Sword Without Dust, dressed in white as snow, immaculate, holding a transparent long sword as thin as a cicada's wing, his entire being seemingly transformed into a peerless divine sword hidden in its sheath!

Behind him, the less than ten remaining Heavenly Sword Manor Disciples, each with bloodshot eyes, exuded a resolute killing intent, charging forward without hesitation!

And on the other side, was Lin Ye, dressed in ordinary Inner Sect Disciple attire, empty-handed, still appearing as harmless as ever!

Behind him, the more than twenty Qingyun Sect Disciples, though their aura was far less sharp than the opponent's, protected him tightly in the very center, like stars surrounding the moon! Their eyes were filled with endless... trust and fanaticism!

"According to the rules, five individuals from each side will engage in one-on-one challenges!"

"The one who wins three out of five matches... advances!"

"Now, both sides, please send out your first... Disciple to battle!"

However, just as the Dynasty official in charge of officiating was about to announce the start, a cold voice, devoid of any emotion, abruptly interrupted him.

"No need."

It was Sword Without Dust.

He slowly walked out from his team.

His eyes, which had long turned blood-red, pierced through the distant space, locking onto Lin Ye’s body!

"Five matches, three wins? Too troublesome."

He slowly spoke, his voice cold, ethereal, yet full of undeniable dominance!

"And... too slow."

"Between him and I, there only needs to be... one battle!"

"The victor, lives!"

"The loser... dies!"