76: Chapter 76 Seeking the Way to Confront the Enemy (Part 2)

The top 128 Cultivators, each with a condensed Aura and sharp eyes, were truly elites who had fought their way through numerous bloody battles.

Fighting steadily and relying on the profound nature of the Five Elements Guixu Sword Scripture along with his own solid Foundation, Lin Jingyun defeated two formidable Golden Core Late Stage opponents in succession, successfully breaking into the top 32 and becoming one of the most eye-catching dark horses in this Golden Core competition.

"This child's sword technique has already reached a level of mastery; with the Five Elements flowing and the Guixu contained within, it faintly shows a trend of becoming a system of its own. Given time, his potential will be limitless." On the main seat, Sword Master Jian Wuming rarely offered an evaluation, his gaze toward Lin Jingyun carrying a hint of appreciation. As a titan of the contemporary sword path, receiving such praise from him was a very high honor indeed.

"Like father, like son. Fellow Daoist Lin Wan, you have taught him well." Fairy Yaoguang also nodded slightly.

"Amitabha. Little benefactor Lin Jingyun has a steady Heart-Nature and is neither arrogant nor impetuous; he is indeed a rare talent." Master Liaoyin also praised.

Listening to the praise from these titans, Liu Ruyan and Chu Qingyao felt a mix of pride and nervousness. Their son reaching this stage had already far exceeded their expectations, but the upcoming opponents would only be stronger, and the battles more perilous.

Lin Wan's expression remained calm, his eyes fixed on Lin Jingyun in the arena. He could see that his son's sword technique was constantly improving through actual combat, and his understanding of the Five Elements Returning to Ruins Dao was deepening—which was far more important than mere victory or defeat.

Finally, the competition for the Golden Core top 32 to 16 began.

Lin Jingyun's opponent was a young Cultivator from the Central Plains, hailing from a second-rate Sect called the Xuanyuan Sect. Named Shi Jian, he had reached the Golden Core Great Perfection stage and excelled in earth-attribute defense and power-based attacks. He was burly, with earth-yellow skin that seemed cast from rock, and his Aura was as heavy and solid as a mountain, clearly indicating an extremely firm Foundation.

"Junior Brother Lin, please." Shi Jian, a man of honest character with little arrogance, bowed to Lin Jingyun.

"Senior Brother Shi, please enlighten me." Lin Jingyun returned the salute.

The battle began, and Shi Jian immediately displayed astonishing defensive power. The technique he cultivated, the 'Xuanyuan Thick Earth Art', covered him in a dense, heavy, earth-yellow light shield. He could also draw upon the power of the earth; every movement he made possessed majestic force, capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks. He was in no rush to attack, opting instead to fight steadily, using defense as a means to counterattack, attempting to wear down Lin Jingyun's spiritual power and find an opening.

Lin Jingyun's sword light landed on Shi Jian's defensive shield, yet it could only leave shallow white marks, struggling to break through. Occasionally, Shi Jian would throw a punch, causing the ground of the arena to tremble and shockwaves to roll outward, forcing Lin Jingyun to dodge and maneuver, consuming a significant amount of energy.

"This Shi Jian's defense is too strong! Lin Jingyun's sword doesn't seem to be able to break through it!"

"Earth-attribute techniques are inherently skilled in defense, and this Shi Jian has cultivated this path to the extreme. I fear few among the same rank can break his defense."

"Lin Jingyun is in danger. If he cannot break through after such a long time, his spiritual power will be exhausted, and he will surely lose!"

In the viewing gallery, many people whispered among themselves, breaking into a sweat for Lin Jingyun.

However, Lin Jingyun did not grow impatient. He continued to move and strike with his sword calmly, carefully sensing the operational laws of Shi Jian's defense, as well as the nodes where he drew upon the power of the earth.

"Earth is heavy and bearing; it is also the basis of the Five Elements. Its defense is strong, yet it lacks change. It connects with the earth, appearing endless, but in fact... there are moments of interruption." Lin Jingyun silently recited the essence of the Five Elements Dao taught by his father. Chaos light flowed in his eyes, and the momentum of the Starfall Sword in his hand quietly changed.

He no longer pursued mere sharpness or piercing. Within the sword light, the Five Elements attributes began to cycle and interact, generating and restraining one another. At times, he used the sharpness of Metal to cut and weaken the defense; at times, the vitality of Wood to infiltrate and disturb the flow of spiritual power; at times, the flexibility of Water to deflect and guide the force; and at times, the violence of Fire to burn and shake the defensive structure. He even incorporated a trace of the Guixu extinction intent to erode and disintegrate the Origin of the defense.

The Five Elements cycled, generating and restraining each other in an endless stream. Furthermore, the intent of Guixu acted like a parasite, constantly eroding Shi Jian's seemingly unbreakable earth-attribute defense.

Shi Jian's expression gradually grew grave. He felt that his defensive light shield was being depleted rapidly under the opponent's unpredictable, attribute-cycling sword light, and its internal structure was beginning to destabilize. Moreover, a cold, strange power that seemed capable of 'ending' everything was silently infiltrating, weakening his connection to the power of the earth.

"This cannot go on!" Alarm bells rang in Shi Jian's heart. With a roar, he slammed his hands toward the ground!

"Xuanyuan—Earth Pulse Shockwave!"

"Boom!" The ground of the entire arena undulated and vibrated violently like waves! Thick, earth-yellow ripples containing terrifying vibrations and crushing force, like a dragon turning over, erupted from the ground, surging toward Lin Jingyun from all directions! This was one of Shi Jian's ultimate moves, drawing upon the power of the earth's veins to unleash an indiscriminate, wide-range violent attack with enough power to threaten an ordinary Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator!

Facing this unavoidable Earth Pulse Shockwave, the chaotic light in Lin Jingyun's eyes suddenly flared to its Peak! He held the Starfall Sword upright before him, the Five Elements Guixu Sword Scripture circulating crazily within his body. His Golden Core spun rapidly in his Dantian, erupting with unprecedented brilliance!

"Five Elements Guixu, Sword Controls the Eight Desolations—Defend!"

"Hum!" A circular sword curtain, shimmering with chaotic five-colored light and containing swirling nebulae—seemingly capable of isolating heaven and earth and encompassing all laws—suddenly unfolded with Lin Jingyun at the center, firmly protecting him! On the sword curtain, the power of the Five Elements rotated endlessly, forming a perfect defensive cycle. The intent of Guixu extinction permeated the curtain, quickly decomposing, assimilating, and annihilating the incoming Earth Pulse Shockwave!

"Boom, boom, boom!" The violent Earth Pulse Shockwave slammed into the chaotic sword curtain, erupting with a deafening roar. The sword curtain vibrated violently and its light flickered; cracks even appeared on its surface, but it never shattered! Lin Jingyun, at the center of the sword curtain, turned slightly pale, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth—he was clearly under immense pressure—but his eyes remained firm, and the Starfall Sword in his hand was as stable as a rock.

"He blocked it! He actually blocked Shi Jian's 'Earth Pulse Shockwave'!"

"What a powerful defensive sword curtain! The Five Elements rotate in an endless cycle, and it even possesses a kind of... artistic conception that seems capable of annihilating all attacks!"

"Has this Lin Jingyun's understanding of the Five Elements Dao actually reached such a level?!"

Exclamations rose again in the viewing gallery. Even the several Soul Transformation and Void Refining giants in the main seat flashed with surprise in their eyes.

Shi Jian's heart sank as he saw his strongest blow blocked by such an exquisite defensive sword curtain. He was about to change his tactics and launch the next round of attacks.

However, Lin Jingyun seized the instant when the opponent's old strength had been spent, new strength had yet to be born, and his mind was momentarily distracted from executing such a major technique!

"Now!" Cold light flashed in Lin Jingyun's eyes. The chaotic sword curtain enveloping his body suddenly retracted inward, and all the power of the Five Elements and the intent of Guixu gathered onto the Starfall Sword in his hand! The chaotic dark silver luster of the blade instantly became deep and restrained, as if it could swallow all light.

"Five Elements Guixu—Law Breaking!"

He stepped forward, his body and sword light merging once more into a streak of terrifying, condensed sword light only a few feet long, appearing in the original color of Chaos. Ignoring the residual Earth Pulse Shockwave and the earth-yellow light shield Shi Jian hurriedly condensed again, he thrust his sword directly at the center of his chest—the point where spiritual power flowed, where defenses were most densely concentrated, but also where a subtle node of stagnation had appeared due to the major technique just executed!

This sword strike was no longer a rotation of the Five Elements, but a perfect Fusion of the power of the Five Elements and the intent of Guixu. It transformed into a more essential, more 'law-breaking' supreme Sword Intent that seemed capable of severing energy flow and disintegrating all spell structures!

"Chi!" A slight sound, like leather being pierced.

The chaotic sword light, like a red-hot soldering iron piercing into solidified grease, instantly penetrated the earth-yellow light shield Shi Jian had hurriedly condensed and accurately struck the spiritual power node in the center of his chest!

"Pfft!" Struck hard, Shi Jian's face turned pale instantly, and he spat out a mouthful of blood! He felt the spiritual power node in his chest being stirred fiercely like a red-hot iron rod, and it collapsed instantly! The originally thick and condensed earth-attribute infant yuan in his body (his technique was special; he had initially condensed infant yuan at the Golden Core Stage) instantly became disordered and violent, crazily impacting his Meridians with piercing pain! Furthermore, a cold, dead, and strange Sword Intent that seemed capable of ending everything poured in through the wound, wantonly destroying his Meridians and Dantian, and even his Golden Core faintly showed cracks!

"I... admit defeat!" Shi Jian, enduring the severe pain and dizziness, shouted hoarsely. He sensed that if he did not concede, that strange Sword Intent would likely completely destroy his Dao Foundation!

The sword light stopped abruptly after piercing half an inch into his chest. The cold Sword Qi made Shi Jian's hair stand on end.

"I accept your concession." Lin Jingyun withdrew his sword and stood, his breath slightly uneven and his face somewhat pale, but his eyes remained bright. That 'Law Breaking' sword strike had nearly exhausted most of his spiritual power and energy, but it had also elevated his understanding of the Five Elements Guixu Sword Scripture to a higher level.

"In the C-character area, Lin Jingyun wins!" The deacon Elder announced loudly, looking at Lin Jingyun with a hint of admiration.

Shi Jian was helped down by his fellow Disciples to tend to his wounds. He looked at Lin Jingyun with complex eyes, filled with both bitterness and a hint of admiration.

"Good! A truly good Five Elements Guixu Law Breaking Sword!" Sword Master Jian Wuming could not help but clap and praise. "This child has already touched the threshold of 'Sword Dao True Intent'; his potential is limitless!"

"Indeed extraordinary." Grand Elder Danchenzi also nodded. "His understanding of the generation and restraint of the Five Elements, and the essence of power, is far beyond his peers. Given time, he will surely become a great talent."

Master Liaoyin smiled without a word, his eyes full of gratification.

Liu Ruyan and Chu Qingyao finally breathed a sigh of relief. They looked at each other and smiled, their eyes full of pride.

A look of satisfaction flashed in Lin Wan's eyes. His son's ability to apply the Five Elements Guixu Dao to such an extent in actual combat, and to initially comprehend the 'Law Breaking' True Intent, had already exceeded his expectations. Having such a son was enough to bring comfort to his life.

After this battle, Lin Jingyun became famous, becoming one of the most sought-after top Prodigies in this Golden Core competition. No one dared to underestimate him because of his youth or slightly lower cultivation level.

However, the tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind.

Just as the Golden Core top 16 were about to be decided, Lin Jingyun successfully advanced and was preparing to face the next round of challenges.

The 'Dao Questioning Contest' draw for the Nascent Soul Realm had concluded.

A list of matchups was projected by magic power, appearing above the huge Dao Questioning jade platform for everyone to view.

When Lin Wan's eyes swept across the list to the Nascent Soul Early Stage group and saw a familiar name and his opponent, his gaze slightly narrowed.

The list clearly read: "Nascent Soul Early Stage group, first round, seventh match: Southern Region Qingyun Sect, Han Lingtian, versus, Eastern Wasteland Skyfire Sect, Yan Jin."

Senior Brother Han was up against Emperor Yan's eldest Disciple, that 'Burning Heaven Saber' Yan Jin, who was at the Peak of the Nascent Soul Middle Stage!

And it was the first round! This was by no means a coincidence!

Lin Wan's eyes instantly turned as cold as knives, sweeping toward the Eastern Wasteland area. He saw the flames around Emperor Yan's body flicker slightly, as if sensing Lin Wan's gaze; he looked back. Although his expression could not be seen clearly, the undisguised, viper-like coldness and killing intent were palpable.

Obviously, the Eastern Wasteland Skyfire Sect—or rather, Emperor Yan—had tampered with the draw. They wanted to use Yan Jin, that sharp 'knife', to cripple or even kill Han Lingtian in the first round, thereby striking at Lin Wan and the morale of the Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance! Perhaps it was even a test to gauge Lin Wan's reaction and force him to step in!

"Senior Brother Han..." Liu Ruyan and Chu Qingyao also saw the list. Their expressions changed suddenly, revealing worry. They knew that Han Lingtian was as close as a brother to Lin Wan and was a vital pillar of the Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance. If he were to be injured or even... by Yan Jin during this 'Dao Questioning Contest'...

"It is fine." Lin Wan withdrew his gaze, his expression returning to calm. He said to his worried wife and child, "Although Senior Brother Han's cultivation is slightly inferior, his sword heart is firm, and his combat power is not bad. That Yan Jin might not easily succeed. Besides…"

A cold light flashed in his eyes: "With me here, no one can harm Senior Brother Han in the slightest."

His voice was calm, yet it contained an unquestionable determination and killing intent.

Upon hearing this, Liu Ruyan and Chu Qingyao felt slightly at ease. They knew that since Lin Wan had said it, he would definitely do it.

Soon, the top sixteen of the Golden Core Stage were determined, and Lin Jingyun was among them, attracting countless gazes of congratulations and attention. However, he did not immerse himself in the joy. Instead, he immediately returned to Lin Wan's side and began to regulate his breath and recover, preparing for the upcoming battles. He also saw the matchup list for the Nascent Soul group and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes, but upon seeing his father's calm expression, he also settled his heart.

After a brief rest, the "Dao Questioning Contest" for the Nascent Soul Realm officially began!

First to take place was the competition for the Nascent Soul Early Stage group. The first few matches, although intense, did not cause much of a stir. Until—

"Nascent Soul Early Stage group, seventh match: Southern Region Qingyun Sect, Han Lingtian, versus, Eastern Wasteland Skyfire Sect, Yan Jin! Please, both sides enter the arena!"

The deacon Elder's loud announcement instantly attracted almost all the gazes in the entire venue!

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy and murderous.

In the Eastern Wasteland area, a figure as fiery red as fire, emitting a scorching and tyrannical Aura, shot into the "Geng" battle area like a cannonball. It was none other than the "Burning Heaven Saber" Yan Jin! He held a ferocious long saber that was crimson all over, as if magma were flowing within it. His eyes were cold and sharp, like a hawk eyeing its prey. The Spiritual Pressure of a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Peak was released without restraint, and the scorching heat waves scorched the surrounding air until it was distorted.

In the Southern Region area, Han Lingtian slowly stood up and nodded toward Lin Wan. His eyes were calm, without joy or sorrow. He held his heavy sword and took a step forward. His figure was as steady as a mountain as he landed in the "Geng" area, facing Yan Jin from a distance.

"Han Lingtian, today, I will use your blood to sacrifice to the 'Burning Heaven' in my hand!" Yan Jin's voice was cold, carrying undisguised killing intent.

"Less talk, let's see the real skills in the fight." Han Lingtian struck his heavy sword against the ground, and a Sword Intent as heavy as a mountain soared into the sky. It collided across the air with Yan Jin's scorching and tyrannical Saber Intent, emitting invisible explosions.

"Begin!"

As the deacon Elder gave the order, the battle exploded instantly!

"Burning Heaven—Slash!"

Yan Jin made the first move, holding nothing back! The crimson long saber in his hand suddenly unsheathed, transforming into a crimson streak of light that spanned heaven and earth. Carrying the terrifying might to burn the eight wastelands and cut through everything, it slashed down toward Han Lingtian's head! Wherever the saber light passed, the space left scorched black marks, and the temperature was high enough to instantly vaporize refined gold! This strike had already reached the threshold of the Nascent Soul Late Stage, demonstrating the terror of Yan Jin's name, "Burning Heaven Saber," and highlighting his ruthless determination to decide the victory in one strike, or even kill Han Lingtian!

Facing this terrifying strike, a brilliant light flashed in Han Lingtian's eyes. He did not dodge or evade. He gripped his sword with both hands, and the "Xuantian Sword Scripture" in his body operated crazily. From the heavy sword, an unprecedentedly heavy and solid yellow Sword Qi erupted, as if it could carry mountains and suppress the earth!

"Xuantian—Mountain Suppressor!"

"Boom—!!!"

The crimson saber light and the yellow Sword Qi collided fiercely! A deafening roar, accompanied by a terrifying energy shockwave, instantly swept across the entire battle area! The defensive light screen shook violently, and light flashed chaotically!

Under this blow, Han Lingtian's figure shook violently, and he retreated three steps. With every step back, a deep footprint was left on the hard Dao Questioning Jade ground, and a wisp of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. Clearly, by taking Yan Jin's full-force strike head-on, he suffered a small loss; after all, there was a gap in cultivation.

"Hmph! A mantis trying to stop a chariot! Let's see how many strikes you can take!" Yan Jin did not let up after gaining the upper hand. The saber light rose again, like a storm, carrying the terrifying flames capable of burning the heavens and boiling the seas, slashing crazily at Han Lingtian from all directions! Each strike contained the intent of a fatal blow and had astonishing power.

Han Lingtian's expression was somber. He brandished his heavy sword, defending flawlessly. His swordsmanship was open and bold, focusing on defense, as heavy as a mountain, blocking the vast majority of Yan Jin's attacks. However, anyone with discerning eyes could see that he was at an absolute disadvantage, only able to defend passively. Moreover, every collision caused him significant shock, and defeat seemed to be only a matter of time.

"Elder Han is in danger!"

"That Yan Jin is too strong! His saber technique is ruthless, his spiritual energy is thick, and he is at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage Peak. Elder Han is only at the Early Stage; being able to hold out until now is already not easy!"

"Sigh, it's a pity. Elder Han's sword Dao cultivation is actually not weak, it's just that the gap in cultivation is too large…"

On the spectator stand, many people shook their heads and sighed, feeling regret for Han Lingtian. In the Eastern Wasteland area, there were cheers, and the flames around Emperor Yan flickered, appearing quite satisfied.

In the Southern Region area, Liu Ruyan, Chu Qingyao, and Lin Jingyun were all clenching their fists, extremely nervous. Master Liaoyin also frowned slightly.

Only Lin Wan remained calm, his gaze locked tightly onto the figure in the arena who was steadily swinging his sword, blood at the corner of his mouth, yet with determined eyes.

He knew that Senior Brother Han was absolutely not as simple as he appeared on the surface. The Xuantian Sword Scripture emphasized intent over form, and its true killing move lay in that… desperate counterattack, drawn but not released, waiting for the right moment!

Sure enough, when he was in passive defense, having taken dozens of violent slashes from Yan Jin, covered in blood, his Aura already somewhat withered, and appearing to be on the verge of collapse—

In Han Lingtian's eyes, a brilliant light, unprecedented and like a volcanic eruption, suddenly burst forth!

He no longer defended blindly. Instead, facing another even more violent and scorching crimson saber light slashed by Yan Jin, he advanced instead of retreating. The heavy sword in his hand, with an incredible angle and speed, suddenly switched from defense to offense, sweeping upwards from bottom to top!

This sword strike was no longer heavy, but carried a sense of determination and tragedy, as if opening the heavens and earth, pressing forward with indomitable will! On the sword body, that originally yellow Sword Qi instantly transformed into a deep, dark gold that seemed capable of swallowing all light. Within it, there were vaguely horrific visions of mountains collapsing, the earth splitting, and stars falling!

"Xuantian—Ultimate Sword, Splitting Earth, Collapsing Heaven!"

"Boom—!!!"

The dark gold Sword Qi and the crimson Burning Heaven saber light collided again!

However, this time, the result was completely different!

The seemingly indestructible Burning Heaven saber light, the moment it came into contact with the dark gold Sword Qi, seemed to have met its nemesis, emitting a groan of being unable to bear the burden. Immediately, it exploded with a bang, scattering into a sky full of crimson sparks! And Han Lingtian's dark gold Sword Qi, its momentum undiminished, carrying the tragic Aura of pressing forward and perishing together, slashed fiercely into the chest of Yan Jin, who was momentarily stunned due to the shattering of his saber light, leaving a gap in his defense!

"Pfft—!"

Blood splattered! Yan Jin screamed, his chest slashed open with a terrifying wound deep enough to see bone, almost splitting him in half diagonally! Scorching blood gushed out like a fountain! His whole body, like a broken sack, was slashed away, slamming heavily into the defensive light screen of the battle area, then bouncing back to the ground. After twitching twice, he passed out completely, his life or death unknown! The crimson long saber "Burning Heaven" in his hand also flew out of his grasp, clattering to the ground, its light dim.

One sword strike, a counter-kill!

The entire arena was dead silent.

Everyone was stunned and dumbfounded by this sudden, shocking reversal, their minds blank.

Yan Jin, who had just been in an absolute superior position and had an Aura like a rainbow, was actually… counter-killed by a single sword strike from Han Lingtian, who appeared to be on the verge of collapse and could only defend passively, and was now heavily injured and dying?!

This… how is this possible?!

After a brief silence, there was an even more sensational uproar and exclamation!

"Han Lingtian won?! A one-sword counter-kill?!"

"My god! That sword strike… what terrifying Sword Intent! What a tragic Aura!"

"That is… a sword of life-and-death struggle! Han Lingtian actually realized such a terrifying ultimate sword in a desperate situation!"

"The Xuantian Sword Scripture… actually has such variations?!"

"The 'Burning Heaven Saber' Yan Jin… lost?! And lost so miserably?!"

The Eastern Wasteland area was dead silent. All the Cultivators of the Skyfire Sect were pale and incredulous. The flickering flames around Emperor Yan suddenly froze. Immediately, a more violent and colder killing intent exploded, almost freezing and burning the surrounding space! He stared fixedly at Han Lingtian in the arena, who was standing with his sword, covered in blood, yet with a straight back. Then he turned his head abruptly to look at the Southern Region area, at the calm-looking Lin Wan. The anger and killing intent burning in his eyes were almost about to turn into reality!

"Han Lingtian! You actually dared to use such a vicious hand! You injured my Disciple! This Emperor wants you to pay with your life!" Emperor Yan's roar sounded like thunder, exploding over Dao Discussion Peak. The terrifying Soul Transformation Divine Might, like a tangible volcano, crashed down toward Han Lingtian in the arena! He was actually going to disregard the rules of the contest and attack Han Lingtian directly!

"Presumptuous!"

"Emperor Yan! How dare you!"

At the same time, several cold shouts rang out simultaneously! On the main seat, Fairy Yaoguang, Sword Master Jian Wuming, Great Elder Danchenzi, and Elder Xingyan released their terrifying Spiritual Pressure almost at the same time, crashing into Emperor Yan's Spiritual Pressure! Furthermore, several sharp Sword Intents, vast Buddha light, and mysterious starlight power instantly locked onto Emperor Yan!

"Emperor Yan! According to the rules of the contest, life and death are fated, and victory or defeat is in the hands of heaven! Han Lingtian did not violate any rules. Yan Jin was inferior in skill and was heavily injured and defeated; he cannot blame others! If you dare to run wild here, do not blame us for enforcing the contest rules and suppressing you!" Fairy Yaoguang's cold voice carried unprecedented severity.

The flames around Emperor Yan flickered violently, clearly extremely angry. However, under the lock of several peers and even higher-level existences, he knew that the situation was not feasible and forcibly suppressed his anger. But his cold voice, like the cold wind of the Nine Netherworlds, resounded throughout the arena:

"Good! A very good Han Lingtian! A very good Southern Region! This grudge, this Emperor has noted it! After the Dao Questioning Contest, this Emperor will definitely go to the Qingyun Sect in person to demand an explanation!"

After saying this, he flicked his sleeve, rolled back the unconscious and dying Yan Jin, fed him a Medicinal Pill, and glared fiercely at Han Lingtian and Lin Wan, no longer speaking. But the bone-deep hatred made everyone feel palpitations.

A turmoil was temporarily suppressed.

Han Lingtian was also taken down by the deacon Elder to heal his wounds. Although he won, using that "Ultimate Sword" had exhausted all his strength, and he was not lightly injured, needing quiet recuperation.

After this battle, the name of Han Lingtian, like Lin Jingyun, resounded throughout the Five Regions. His feat of counter-killing in a desperate situation and defeating the enemy with one sword, as well as that tragic and resolute "Xuantian Ultimate Sword," moved and impressed countless people.

The reputation of the Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance rose greatly again. And the grudge between the Eastern Wasteland Skyfire Sect and the Southern Region, and with Lin Wan, was completely intensified, with no room left for turning back.

Lin Wan looked at Han Lingtian, who was being helped away, a trace of warmth and relief flashing in his eyes. Senior Brother was, after all, that resilient and unyielding Senior Brother.

He slowly stood up and looked calmly at the high-hanging matchup list.

The first round of the Nascent Soul Early Stage group had already ended.

Next would be the competitions for the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, as well as… the Nascent Soul Late Stage and Great Perfection groups.

And he, Lin Wan, as the leader of the Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance and with Nascent Soul Great Perfection cultivation, was naturally on the participant list.

His gaze fell on the list, on the name of his opponent in the first round of the Nascent Soul Great Perfection group.

"Nascent Soul Great Perfection group, first round, third match: Southern Region Qingyun Sect, Lin Wan, versus, Northern Plains Corpse God Sect, True Monarch Corpse Kui."

True Monarch Corpse Kui, a titan of the Demonic Path who had recently risen in the Northern Plains, was known for refining corpses and controlling ghosts. His cultivation was at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection, and his fierce reputation was illustrious. It was said that he had a close relationship with Old Monster Jiuyou, whom Lin Wan had killed.

"Finally… is it my turn."

The corner of Lin Wan's mouth slowly curled into a cold arc that seemed capable of freezing the Soul.

"That is good."

"I will use the blood of this Corpse Kui…"

"To completely… sacrifice the flag for my Southern Region Anti-Calamity Alliance's 'Dao Questioning Contest'!"