The arena was a tempest of spiritual energy. Thousands of cultivators filled the stands surrounding the vast dueling platform carved from reinforced black spirit stone. Floating banners of the Six Great Powers — Sword Sovereign Sect, Fire Pavilion,Ouyang Family, Martial Sect, Jiang Family, and Duan Family — shimmered under the morning sun.
Lin Feng stood with his fellow Sword Sovereign disciples, his gaze steady as the names of the first combatants were called. Around him, swords hummed softly — sensing the tension of what was about to unfold.
From the opposite side, a group of cultivators adorned in silver and black robes stepped forward. Their robes bore a sigil of twin serpents devouring a sun — the crest of the Ouyang Family.
A faint sneer curled Lin Feng's lips. So they finally decided to crawl out from the shadows.
---
At their lead stood a youth in white armor with cold gray eyes — Ouyang Jin, the third young master of the Ouyang Family. His aura was oppressive, a blend of spiritual flame and killing intent. The surrounding disciples whispered as he walked.
"He's the Ouyang Family's genius? They say he was ranked second among the Northern Continent's young elites."
"He reached mid-Legend realm at twenty-three — terrifying."
Ouyang Jin's cold gaze swept toward Lin Feng, narrowing slightly. "So you're the so-called Lin Feng who made a name by killing an elder of the Blood Sect," he said, his voice sharp as glass. "I was expecting more."
Lin Feng met his gaze without a flicker of emotion. "And I was expecting less from someone who hides behind family influence."
The crowd murmured. Several sect disciples shifted uncomfortably — few dared to mock an Ouyang publicly.
A vein pulsed at Ouyang Jin's temple. "You'll regret that. The Ouyang Family always collects its debts."
Lin Feng smirked. "You'll have to stay alive long enough to deliver the message."
Li Yuexin's eyes flicked toward Lin Feng with faint amusement, though her hand rested lightly on her sword hilt. "You never change, do you?" she whispered.
"Wouldn't be as fun if I did," Lin Feng replied.
---
The Duels Begin
The booming voice of the Duan Patriarch silenced the crowd.
"Let the Five Sect Duels begin! May strength and destiny decide who enters the Central Continent!"
A column of spiritual light surged upward, marking the first platform.
Disciples leapt into the air, each landing gracefully atop the dueling stages that floated in the sky.
One after another, fights erupted — swords clashing, flames roaring, and spirit energy shattering the air.
The Sword Sovereign Sect disciples fought valiantly, their sword auras forming radiant arcs of azure and silver. Li Yuexin's blade, Moonlit Frost, moved like poetry, her strikes elegant yet deadly. Each swing painted the sky with shimmering arcs of moonlight that sent her opponents sprawling.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng stood motionless until the referee called his name.
"Next match — Lin Feng of the Sword Sovereign Sect versus Tian Ruo of the Martial Sect!"
Cheers erupted from the stands. The audience had waited for this.
---
Tian Ruo stepped forward — a hulking man wielding a massive stone hammer glowing with golden inscriptions.
"You may have beaten Duan Yun once," Tian Ruo growled, "but I'll crush you into the stage."
Lin Feng's expression didn't change. "Try it."
The moment the gong struck —
BOOM!
Tian Ruo's hammer descended with earth-shattering force. The platform cracked under the impact. But Lin Feng's figure flickered — gone.
A soft voice whispered behind Tian Ruo's ear.
"Too slow."
A flash of azure light.
Bang!
Tian Ruo was sent flying backward, his hammer spinning from his grasp. He crashed into the barrier surrounding the arena, coughing blood.
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
"One move…"
"He defeated Tian Ruo in one move!"
Li Yuexin smiled faintly. "Show-off."
Lin Feng simply walked off the stage, his aura steady, not a hint of arrogance. But his eyes burned with anticipation. This was only the beginning.
---
Second Duel — Li Yuexin's Radiance
On another stage, Li Yuexin faced a Jiang Family genius wielding twin blades of frost. Their battle was a blur of speed and elegance — blades singing in the air, frost and moonlight intertwining.
When she finally struck, the entire arena seemed to pause — a single crescent slash of moonlight tore through the ice storm, disarming her opponent in a single, flawless motion.
Applause thundered.
Lin Feng watched from afar, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Not bad."
---
Later that afternoon, the arena trembled as two names echoed across the sky.
"Duan Yun of the Duan Family Sect versus Lin Feng of the Sword Sovereign Sect!"
A hush fell over the crowd.
Duan Yun stepped onto the stage, his aura stronger than before — refined, calm, deadly. His sword radiated a blinding golden light.
"I've waited for this, Lin Feng," he said coldly. "Last time, I underestimated you. Not today."
Lin Feng unsheathed his sword slowly, its azure light rippling like waves. "You'll regret that too."
---
Their auras collided — shockwaves rippled through the arena.
Duan Yun moved first, his sword splitting into a thousand golden arcs, each aimed to sever Lin Feng's vital points.
But Lin Feng's sword was like flowing water — graceful yet unstoppable.
"Azure Sword Art — Fifth Stance: Flowing Horizon!"
A wave of azure light burst outward, swallowing Duan Yun's strikes and sending him skidding backward.
Duan Yun roared, summoning his bloodline power. A golden lion phantom appeared behind him, roaring thunderously.
"Golden Lion Domain!"
The air grew thick with killing intent.
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened. "Domain against domain, is it?"
He released his power — and the arena trembled.
A massive dragon phantom coiled above him, its scales gleaming like molten sapphire. The pressure forced even elders to shield themselves.
"Dragon Domain — Sovereign of the Skies!"
The two domains collided with a deafening boom, energy waves flattening the landscape.
When the light faded, Duan Yun was on his knees, his lion phantom shattered. Lin Feng stood tall, his sword pointed at Duan Yun's throat.
"Still think rank and bloodline matter?" Lin Feng asked quietly.
Duan Yun clenched his fists, trembling. "I… concede."
The arena erupted.
"Lin Feng won again!"
"He's unstoppable!"
---
But as cheers filled the air, a faint flicker of killing intent brushed Lin Feng's senses.
His eyes narrowed.
Suddenly —
Swoosh!
A black shadow appeared behind him, daggers glinting with a sickly green poison. The Ouyang insignia glimmered on the assassin's wrist.
"Die, Sword Sovereign dog!"
Before anyone could react, the assassin struck — but Lin Feng's blade flashed faster than thought.
"Azure Sword Art — Sixth Stance: Heaven's Reversal!"
The assassin's daggers shattered. Blood sprayed across the stage as his body split cleanly in two.
Gasps echoed through the arena.
"Ouyang Family dared to attack here?"
"They've gone mad!"
Lin Feng's eyes were cold as ice. He turned toward Ouyang Jin, whose expression darkened with fury and humiliation.
"Next time," Lin Feng said, his voice calm yet terrifyingly cold, "send someone stronger."
The entire arena fell silent. Even the elders of the Ouyang Family could not speak — for the evidence of their failed assassination lay at Lin Feng's feet.