Three days passed in a flash. The day Ling Chen was scheduled to duel with Yun Tianhe had finally arrived.
It was early in the morning. After tidying up, Ling Chen headed towards the martial arts platform in the martial grounds.
The martial grounds were bustling with activity. Nearly all the Disciples had gathered. Additionally, many prominent figures from the Wind Country were present to witness this Life and Death duel between the two Genius Disciples of the Divine Intent Sect.
On the high viewing platform sat several important figures from the Divine Intent Sect. Among them were two at the Purple-robed Elder level: Vice-Head Ye Nantian and Zi Yun True Immortal. Ye Nantian was Yun Tianhe's master.
To Ye Nantian's right sat a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in a yellow robe adorned with six lifelike dragon patterns. His slightly portly figure exuded an invisible aura of authority, clearly indicating his high status in the secular world. The Family Heads of various Martial Arts Families from the Wind Country gathered around this yellow-robed middle-aged man.
"The Disciples of the Divine Intent Sect are indeed extraordinary; they are the future pillars of the Righteous Martial World." Gazing at Yun Tianhe standing on the martial arts platform, the yellow-robed middle-aged man spoke with a smile.
"Hehe, Your Highness Prince Tai, you flatter them. Pillars of the Righteous Martial World? How could they compare to the geniuses of the royal family?" Ye Nantian was clearly pleased by the praise but feigned modesty out of courtesy. In the past, a Prince of the Wind Country would not have warranted such attention from him, but now, he had to show due respect. The situation was no longer the same.
Zi Yun True Immortal sat on the other side, his expression exceptionally cold, and he remained silent. If not for his open eyes, others might have mistaken him for being asleep.
"I hear Yun Tianhe's opponent today is Ling Chen, hailed as the foremost genius in the Martial World. Today's battle will likely be a spectacular contest between titans." Prince Tai had been invited by Ye Nantian to witness this fight. Representing the royal family of the Wind Country, he carried considerable weight. Moreover, even within the royal family, Prince Tai was an eminent figure, second only to the Emperor of the Wind Country.
"A battle of titans? I'm afraid the fight won't be as intense as imagined. The 'foremost genius of the Martial World' is already a thing of the past," Ye Nantian said, a derisive smile playing on his lips.
"That may not necessarily be the case. Celebrate too early, and you might find you've shot yourself in the foot," the hitherto silent Zi Yun True Immortal suddenly interjected, his tone cold.
"Hehe, then we'll have to see if this lad has the ability," Ye Nantian sneered.
"The Head of the Black Market, Qin Shan, has come to pay his respects!" Just as the atmosphere grew tense, a loud voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone looked startled and turned towards the sound. They saw a dense crowd of figures dressed in black. The experts of the Black Market were all uniformly clad in black. Qin Shan, too, wore a loose black-robed attire today, yet his commanding presence as a leader was in no way diminished.
Nowadays, the Divine Intent Sect had to be cautious even with Prince Tai. As for the Black Market, it was an even more colossal power, one that even the Divine Intent Sect Master, Shentu Yan, had to treat with extreme care.
"Mr. Qin, I never imagined that such a minor Disciple duel would warrant the presence of Your Excellency," Prince Tai said with a smile, his expression clearly complimentary. While the royal family controlled all overt forces in the Wind Country and the Black Market governed the underworld, the crucial distinction was the Black Market's presence across all Five Kingdoms. If united, they represented a truly formidable power.
"Mr. Qin, your esteemed presence truly brings honor to our humble sect," Ye Nantian said with a laugh.
Such obsequiousness caused a hint of disdain to flicker across Zi Yun True Immortal's face. Although he personally disliked Ling Tianyu, when Ling Tianyu was alive, who in the Divine Intent Sect ever needed to fawn over anyone?
"I came to see just how talented this generation of the Divine Intent Sect truly is," Qin Shan replied with a faint smile.
"Rest assured, you will not be disappointed," Ye Nantian said with a confident smile, clearly full of faith in Yun Tianhe.
"I trust that will be the case." Qin Shan raised an eyebrow and gave a cryptic smile but said no more. Instead, he let his gaze sweep over the martial grounds. Apart from Yun Tianhe, he saw no sign of Ling Chen.
Ling Chen still hasn't appeared? Qin Shan was slightly surprised. On such an important day, the lad is actually late. Is he overconfident, or does he lack confidence?
"That's quite normal. It wouldn't be surprising even if he failed to show up today. After all, this is a Life and Death battle," Ye Nantian said, a hint of mockery on his face.
"He's here." Just as Ye Nantian finished speaking, Qin Shan's gaze abruptly shifted to the distance. There, a young white-clad swordfighter was approaching leisurely, a Treasure Sword hanging at his waist.
Feeling slightly rebuffed, Ye Nantian was somewhat irked, but the smile on his face did not fade. "I didn't expect this lad to have some courage. However, courage alone won't help him escape his fate."
"How can Sect Leader Ye be so certain he will lose? Let's just watch this duel. Perhaps there will be an unexpected surprise," Qin Shan said with a smile.
These words left both Ye Nantian and Prince Tai somewhat astonished and suspicious. Judging by his tone, could it be that this Qin Shan intends to side with Ling Chen?
At this moment, Ling Chen had already reached the martial grounds. With a swift movement, he leaped onto the martial arts platform.
"Yun Tianhe, get out here and face your death!" Ling Chen suddenly roared, his gaze fixed on Yun Tianhe.
His words fell, immediately causing an uproar. They had rarely heard any Disciple dare to speak to Yun Tianhe in such a manner.
"This piece of trash, how dare he be so arrogant?" Yun Tianhe clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead. He was clearly infuriated by Ling Chen's words, itching to get on the platform and slaughter him right now.
"Senior Brother Yun, don't be impulsive! We have a prior agreement," Zhao Wuxu said, stepping forward to stop Yun Tianhe just as he could barely restrain himself.
"Then you better remember the terms of our agreement. I don't want to see that piece of trash walk off this platform alive," Yun Tianhe said, his expression grim and his voice cold.
"Rest assured, he won't survive my saber," Zhao Wuxu said, a smirk playing on his lips, before he leaped onto the martial arts platform.
"Ling Chen, let me, Zhao Wuxu, be your opponent!" Having ascended the platform, Zhao Wuxu stared at Ling Chen, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
"You are not my opponent. Have Yun Tianhe come instead," Ling Chen stated calmly.
WHOOSH! His words immediately caused another uproar.
"Haha! Why jump to conclusions? Whether I am your opponent or not, we'll only know after we fight, don't you agree?" Zhao Wuxu's eyes darkened, killing intent for Ling Chen surging within him. This bastard actually dares to look down on me!
"Yun Tianhe, you're actually having someone else fight in your stead? Are you afraid to face me? If that's the case, then there's no need for this battle today," Ling Chen said, looking at Yun Tianhe below the platform.
"If you can defeat Junior Brother Zhao, I will naturally fight you. Otherwise, you are not worthy of being my opponent." Yun Tianhe couldn't let Ling Chen leave just like that; he was determined to kill Ling Chen today.
"That's right, Ling Chen! Since you look down on me so much, why not accept my challenge? Unless, of course, you think you're no match for me. In that case, just obediently give up your position among the Four Great Genius Disciples, and let me take it!" Zhao Wuxu deliberately goaded him.
"The Four Great Genius Disciples? That's just an empty title. Only fools obsess over such vanity. I have no interest in fighting you; the title of Genius Disciple is yours if you want it." With that said, Ling Chen turned and began to walk off the platform.
"Who said you could yield it? Today, you fight whether you want to or not!" Zhao Wuxu roared. His body shot out like an arrow as he slashed his saber diagonally towards Ling Chen.