"How is that possible?"
Xu Yuan’s face was filled with shock.
His cultivation was as high as the early fifth layer of the Primordial Pill Realm, and he had even employed the Holy Body Secret Technique, yet he was directly defeated by Ling Chen’s attack with overwhelming force?
Moreover, Ling Chen didn’t seem to have used the Holy Body Secret Technique!
However, at this moment, Xu Yuan had no time to think further, as he infused his Spiritual Power into the longsword in his hand, sending out slashes of Sword Qi towards the Green Lotus, trying his best to stop its approach.
At the same time, dozens of Spiritual Power defenses formed in front of him.
But these Sword Qi and Spiritual Power defenses were utterly ineffective before the Green Lotus.
Instantly crushed with overwhelming force!
Finally, the Green Lotus heavily slammed onto the longsword held out in front of Xu Yuan.
The longsword was sent flying, smashing heavily in front of Xu Yuan, with immense force erupting. Xu Yuan’s body was sent flying backward, covering hundreds of feet before coming to a halt.
At this time, his robe was torn, his hair disheveled, and he was in a sorry state.
Fresh blood continuously spilled from the corner of his mouth.
With one strike, Xu Yuan was defeated!
Watching this terrifying scene, nearly all the Blue-clothed Disciples were shocked.
All of them stared at Ling Chen with eyes full of fear and apprehension.
Including those disciples at the fifth layer of the Palace Mansion Realm!
This was not just defeat; it was a complete crushing!
It was uncertain who made the first sound of swallowing saliva.
Then, a series of gasps followed one after another!
This was just too terrifying!
How could a cultivator at the third layer of the Palace Mansion Realm be so powerful?
Even Elder Xue and the ten Stewards were taken aback.
They had not anticipated Ling Chen’s attack to reach such a frightening level.
In terms of strength, wasn’t Ling Chen on par with those in the mid-fifth layer of the Palace Mansion Realm?
Elder Xue looked at Ling Chen and for a moment could not find words to say.
He had thought that arranging for Xu Yuan, who was at the early fifth layer of the Palace Mansion Realm, was already giving Ling Chen a lot of credit.
Who would have thought that Ling Chen’s strength far exceeded his imagination!
At this moment, everyone’s eyes gathered on Ling Chen, filled with disbelief.
"Steward, can you announce the result now?"
Ling Chen glanced at Xu Yuan and knew that the latter had lost his fighting capacity.
Hearing Ling Chen’s voice, the Steward overseeing the battle came to his senses, looked towards Ling Chen and said, "I announce, Ling Chen wins!"
Upon hearing this, Ling Chen nodded and then flew towards a corner in the distance.
With this victory, he had made it into the top nineteen.
Just one more win, and he would be among the top ten.
Gradually, people came to their senses, their gazes still occasionally drifting towards Ling Chen.
Next, the competition continued.
Another two disciples stepped onto the stage.
It was only after they engaged in intense combat that everyone was completely pulled out of the shock from the previous battle.
In the following fights, although there were those that completely dominated their opponents,
Compared to Ling Chen’s battle with Xu Yuan, they paled in significance.
After all, Ling Chen was only at the third layer of the Palace Mansion Realm, fighting above his level!
By the end of the fifth round of competition, the most discussed was still Ling Chen.
Ling Chen had made a name for himself with one battle!
"Ling Chen, not bad, your name is finally going to echo throughout the Burning Flame Sect!"
Above the ninth heaven, Ye Fentian watched the scene with a smile on his face.
What Ling Chen was showing now was still within his control.
Only with Ling Chen gaining fame within the Burning Flame Sect would they be able to make a case with the Star Pavilion when Ling Chen dies.
They could also push the crime of annihilating the lineage onto the Star Pavilion.
At the same time, they could strip Ling Chen of the Emperor’s Inheritance.
After the fifth round ended and a rest for half an hour, the sixth round continued.
This time, the battle order was not arranged by Elder Xue.
Instead, it was decided by drawing lots.
Eighteen out of the nineteen advancing disciples were at the fifth layer of the Palace Mansion Realm.
Only Ling Chen was at the third layer of the Palace Mansion Realm.
However, nobody dared to underestimate Ling Chen.
The scene of Ling Chen defeating Xu Yuan with a single sword strike was still replaying in their minds.
During the drawing of lots, many were praying not to be matched against Ling Chen.
Soon, the drawing of lots was over.
The opponent Ling Chen drew was none other than Zhao Yu, whom he had battled in the Burning Flame Valley!
"Haha, two newcomers competing for a spot in the top ten, not bad!"
"Yeah, indeed! This will show us who really is the number one among the newcomers, Ling Chen or Zhao Yu!"
"I’m favoring Zhao Yu! He just joined our Burning Flame Sect and has already reached the mid-period of the fifth layer of the Palace Mansion Realm. He definitely shouldn’t be underestimated!"
"Yes! This Ling Chen, his cultivation is ultimately a bit weaker."
"I think Young Master Ling has a greater chance of winning! After all, the strength he has shown is something that even an average cultivator at the mid-period of the fifth layer of the Palace Mansion Realm may not be able to easily withstand!"
"Exactly, Young Master Ling hasn’t even used his Holy Body Secret Technique yet!"
The crowd was abuzz with discussions.
Clearly, the battle between Ling Chen and Zhao Yu was the real focus of attention!
"The first battle, Zhao Yu versus Ling Chen!"
Elder Xue also understood the people’s thoughts and announced loudly.
He was actually quite looking forward to it.
Might as well let the two of them fight first!
Upon hearing this, the crowd cheered with excitement in their eyes as they looked towards the two competitors.
Two streaks of light shot up into the sky simultaneously.
Ling Chen and Zhao Yu stood opposite each other.
"You are no match for me, concede!"
Ling Chen said with a smile.
The two had already determined the victor in their battle at the Burning Flame Valley.
Even though Zhao Yu’s cultivation had improved, he was still no match for him.
Zhao Yu sneered coldly.
He believed he had lost to Ling Chen because of the latter’s mid-grade King Spiritual Weapon in their previous fight.
This time, he possessed a mid-grade King Spiritual Weapon and had also mastered the mid-grade Body Technique King Spirit Technique.
He refused to believe he couldn’t overcome his opponent.
Even though Ling Chen had defeated an early-stage fifth layer cultivator of the Palace Mansion Realm before.
But he was at the mid-stage.
He had also defeated an old, established member of the Blue-clothed Disciples at the early-stage fifth layer and had just advanced to the nineteenth rank.
Ling Chen nodded and said, "If that’s the case, then let’s fight once more."
The crowd looked puzzled.
Had these two fought each other before?
But how come they had not heard of it?
Even Steward Liu among the ten stewards looked confused.
He had no idea about the fight between Ling Chen and Zhao Yu in the Burning Flame Valley.
Zhao Yu had warned others not to speak of it.
And Ling Chen didn’t have many acquaintances.
Naturally, the news hadn’t spread.
Zhao Yu snorted coldly, thinking to himself, "This time, I must avenge my previous humiliation!"
Deacon Zhao looked at the two and said, "Are you both ready?"
At this moment, Elder Xue flew over and said to Deacon Zhao, "Deacon Zhao, shall I act as the judge for this battle?"
Deacon Zhao quickly stepped aside.
Elder Xue announced loudly.
He could feel the tense atmosphere between them.
The crowd’s eager eyes were also fixed on the two.
One was the top newcomer, and the other was the directly admitted candidate; this match was sure to be a good show!