Chapter 027: Stunning the Crowd

  "That old man has quite a few dirty tricks up his sleeve," Yang Tian muttered, glancing at the bleeding wounds on his chest. The searing pain was relentless, but he clenched his teeth and turned his gaze to Wang Long's grim face.

  Wang Long wasn't faring much better. His clothes were torn, his hair disheveled, and a trail of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The most striking was the palm print on his chest, a clear mark of the fierce battle.

  "How is this kid's body so strong? It's almost comparable to a peak-level ferocious beast," Wang Long thought, rubbing his numb arm. If it were any ordinary cultivator, they would have been torn to shreds by now.

  "Truly, heroes emerge from the young. Even if Yang Tian loses today, his reputation will soar," Hua Qi and his companion exchanged glances, their hearts filled with awe. If they knew Yang Tian was only at the seventh level of Blood Refinement, what would they think?

  Suddenly, a suction force emanated from Wang Long's palm, pulling the Qingyuan Sword into his hand.

  "That old man has no shame, using a weapon against a junior."

  "Even if he wins, it's not honorable. Does Yang Tian even have a weapon?"

  The crowd below erupted in disdainful murmurs. Wang Long's lips twitched, but he wasn't one to care about face. Winning was all that mattered.

  "Given Xiao Tian's personality, he wouldn't challenge without confidence, right?" Lin Yuan's heart was tense, a hint of anxiety in his eyes as he muttered to himself.

  "He should win, right?" Hua Die clenched her fists, her beautiful eyes fixed on Yang Tian. A strange glimmer shone in her gaze, for some reason, she had immense confidence in him.

  "Brother Hua Qi, do you think the city lord will intervene? If he doesn't, I think you should step in," someone on the viewing platform joked.

  "He probably will. The city lord wouldn't let such a talent die," Hua Qi nodded, then gave the man a puzzled look. "But why should I intervene? I have no relation to him, and I don't want to offend that old man."

  "Tsk tsk," the man chuckled strangely, pointing at Hua Die.

  "Eh... could it be that my little girl has taken a liking to him?" Hua Qi was momentarily stunned, then a sly smile crept onto his face.

  On the battle stage.

  Yang Tian took a deep breath, muttering to himself, "This old bastard has no shame. Looks like I'll have to use my trump card."

  "Yang Tian, today will be your death day!" Wang Long's sharp gaze locked onto Yang Tian as he poured his energy into the Qingyuan Sword. The sword's green glow intensified, radiating a sharp, chilling aura that swept across the arena.

  "Mountain-Splitting Sword Technique!" The green light around the sword swirled as it spun in the air, drawing a circular arc. The surrounding spiritual energy surged towards the center of the arc.

  "This is an Earth-grade sword technique!" The crowd below paled. The ability to manipulate spiritual energy meant the technique had been mastered.

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  "Tsk tsk, Brother Hua Qi, you better be ready to rescue him, or your daughter will be heartbroken."

  "Shut up, no one thinks you're mute," Hua Qi glared at him, though he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Yang Tian's achievements were more than enough to qualify as his son-in-law.

  "Boom!" The river of energy within Yang Tian trembled as the blood river above his head transformed into a blazing sun. The temperature in the arena skyrocketed, the scorching heat making the spectators gasp.

  "Tsk tsk, this is going to be good. Yang Tian's martial skill is no joke."

  The gathered energy surged like a torrent. The small sword in Yang Tian's hand carried an overwhelmingly violent force, causing the Qingyuan Sword to hum in resonance.

  "How does this brat have such a skill?" Wang Long's face was grave as he stared at the sun above Yang Tian's head. Even from this distance, his skin felt like it was burning.

  "No matter what tricks you have, you will die today!" Wang Long frantically manipulated the surrounding energy, pushing the Mountain-Splitting Sword Technique to its limits. With this technique, he had once slain a half-step Martial Artist.

  "Old dog, pay with your life!"

  "Bang!" Yang Tian's fist shot out, stars seemed to burst from it as the blazing sun rotated above. The air crackled and exploded like boiling water, an overwhelming force spreading out and surging towards Wang Long.

  "Slash!" Wang Long roared, the sword in his hand dragging a trail of light as it cut through layers of vacuum, charging forward.

  "Boom! Boom!" Countless vacuums were shattered, the very space around them rippling. The blinding light clashed like thunder.

  The battle stage shook, iron shards flying into the air as the tearing winds spread like a roaring tornado. The residual energy enveloped both combatants.

  "Incredible, absolutely incredible!" The crowd below cheered, their faces filled with fervor. No matter who won, Yang Tian's reputation was already cemented. He was undoubtedly the champion of this tournament.

  The battle stage continued to crack, fissures spreading rapidly until it seemed on the verge of collapse.

  As the dust settled, a massive trench, dozens of feet long, was revealed on the stage.

  "This is brutal! The stage, made of Xuan Iron, is destroyed to this extent!" The spectators gasped. Xuan Iron was known for its hardness, often used to forge blood weapons.

  The shockwaves spread across the entire stage, sending both fighters flying dozens of feet away. Wang Long was in a pitiful state, his body riddled with bloody holes, his energy nearly depleted.

  "Cough! Cough!"

  Wang Long staggered to his feet, his gaze falling on Yang Tian's fallen figure. His face twisted with hatred. "Yang Tian, you will die!"

  "Bang!" Suddenly, Yang Tian's hand slammed against the ground, propelling him into the air.

  "Old dog, you nearly killed my foster father. Today, you will pay with your life!" Yang Tian roared, his hair whipping wildly as an overwhelming battle intent erupted from him.

  "Such formidable battle intent!" Miles away, three men were shocked, their eyes fixed on Yang Tian, awe written across their faces.

  "If this kid doesn't die young, the Qingyang Empire will gain a formidable powerhouse," the man in black robes chuckled, touching his nose.

  "Third Brother, you better prepare your Unique Scale Beast," the man in white laughed.

  "City Lord, I surrender," Wang Long's face paled. His energy was nearly gone, and facing Yang Tian's overwhelming battle intent, he couldn't muster the courage to fight.

  "Surrender? Did I agree to that?" Yang Tian bellowed, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. He stomped his foot, sending shards of iron flying into the air.

  "Bastard!" Wang Long screamed, realizing the City Lord had abandoned him. He turned and fled towards the edge of the stage.

  "Whoosh! Whoosh!"

  Yang Tian's hand curled, a burst of force sending countless iron shards hurtling forward.

  Wang Long's body froze mid-air, chunks of flesh flying as blood splattered everywhere.

  "Boom!" Yang Tian appeared beside Wang Long in an instant, grabbing his arm and slamming him into the ground repeatedly.

  "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The crowd watched in horror, the young man's murderous intent sending chills down their spines.

  "Wang Long actually lost, even with a peak blood weapon," the crowd murmured in disbelief, their hearts filled with awe.

  The Star Martial Arts Academy had fallen, destroyed by a sixteen-year-old boy.

  Yang Tian's name would surely shake the entire Mad Cloud City.

  "What did Wang Long do to provoke such wrath from Yang Tian?" Hua Qi shivered, looking at Wang Long's mangled body.

  "Haha, Third Brother, you can't escape this bet. With the boss as my witness..."

  As he spoke, the man in white's voice trailed off. The three men turned their heads simultaneously, their eyes fixed on the distant sky.

  "The Ancient Li Family!"

  The voice trembled slightly as it echoed.