159: Chapter 159 Gradually Revealing Talent

The Top 32 Advancement Tournament, drawing of lots completed, the battles start immediately!

First to appear were several matches with close power levels; the battles were exceptionally intense, drawing bursts of exclamations from the audience.

Soon, it was time for several highly anticipated battles.

Ren Qianyang versus the Heaven Ranking's eighth, Gold Splitting Hand Jin Wushuang.

Ren Qianyang has a frank and open personality and uses a Broad-Bladed Long Saber; his saber techniques are bold and expansive, peerlessly fierce, and his cultivation is at the Ningyuan Sixth Stage Peak.

His opponent Jin Wushuang, ranked eighth on the Heaven Ranking, is at the Condensing Essence Seventh Level Late Stage; his pair of bare palms are harder than refined steel, and the Gold Splitting Hand he Cultivates specializes in breaking through all kinds of defenses, being sharp and ruthless.

As soon as the battle began, Jin Wushuang used his cultivation advantage to launch an offensive!

His palm wind was like a blade, every Move aimed at Ren Qianyang's vital points.

Ren Qianyang roared repeatedly, pushing his saber techniques to the limit, his saber light like a bolt of silk as he resisted with all his might.

The two countered attack with attack, making for an explosive scene.

However, the gap in Realm was ultimately difficult to bridge.

Although Ren Qianyang was brave, the quality and total amount of his True Essence were far inferior to his opponent's; after a long time, he could no longer hold on.

After taking dozens of Jin Wushuang's Gold Splitting Hands head-on, the webbing of his hand split, his internal organs were shaken, and blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth; he had already sustained internal injuries.

But he had a resilient personality and fought to the death without retreating; relying on a surge of fierce courage, at the final moment, he used a mutual destruction tactic, risking his shoulder blade being cracked by Jin Wushuang's palm to slash off a piece of the opponent's clothing with a backhand slash, forcing him back several steps!

According to the rules, Ren Qianyang's injuries were more severe, and he was knocked to the edge of the arena, so he was declared the loser.

But Jin Wushuang was also broken into a cold sweat by that death-defying slash, clearly realizing he had somewhat underestimated his opponent.

“Senior Brother Jin, thank you for the match!”

Ren Qianyang leaned on his saber and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth; although he lost, he held his head high, his heroic spirit undiminished.

His performance won cheers from many people below the stage.

Jin Wushuang did not speak; his face was somewhat unsightly as he gave a cold snort and flicked his sleeves to leave the stage.

Ren Qianyang was defeated but honored.

Chen Jianfeng versus the Heaven Ranking's tenth, Cold Ice Finger, Han Bing.

Chen Jianfeng is steady and reserved, his sword techniques rigorous, his Foundation solid, and his cultivation is at the Ningyuan Sixth Stage Late Stage.

His opponent Han Bing, ranked tenth on the Heaven Ranking, is at the Condensing Essence Seventh Level Middle Stage; her Cold Ice Finger is sinister and eerie, impossible to guard against.

This battle was more of a contest of skill.

Chen Jianfeng's sword techniques were dense and airtight; his fighting style was relatively conservative as he searched for his opponent's flaws.

Meanwhile, Han Bing's finger techniques were tricky, with cold Qi overflowing, constantly draining Chen Jianfeng's True Essence and physical strength.

The battle lasted for nearly a hundred Moves; Chen Jianfeng ultimately failed to withstand that pervasive cold finger force. A finger wind invaded his Meridians, causing his True Essence to flow sluggishly, and he eventually lost narrowly.

Chen Jianfeng withdrew his sword and stood still, his expression calm as he cupped his hands to Han Bing: “Senior Sister Han's finger techniques are exquisite; this Junior Brother is impressed.”

Though defeated, he did not lose his grace.

Han Bing nodded slightly in return and drifted off the stage.

Chen Jianfeng's performance also demonstrated remarkable strength and potential.

After the two battles ended, it was soon Ye Tian's turn to take the stage.

Ye Tian's opponent was also a figure on the Heaven Ranking, the fourteenth-ranked 'Shocking Thunder Spear' Lin Xiao.

When Ye Tian's name and Lin Xiao's name appeared on the Light Screen simultaneously, a burst of discussion broke out below the stage.

Lin Xiao, ranked fourteenth on the Heaven Ranking, has a cultivation of Condensing Essence Seventh Level Middle Stage and uses a Bright Silver Long Spear; his spear techniques are as swift as thunder and his offensive is sharp, earning him quite a reputation in the Outer Sect.

As for his opponent Ye Tian, although he had just created the miracle of surviving Wan Jian Cliff, his surface cultivation remained at Ningyuan Fifth Stage Peak; this huge gap in Realm made most people not favor Ye Tian.

“Senior Brother Lin's Shocking Thunder Spear is fast and fierce; Junior Brother Ye Tian might find it hard to withstand its edge.”

“Coming out of Wan Jian Cliff alive is luck, but on the arena, one relies on solid strength!”

“Let's see how many Moves Ye Tian can last.”

On the viewing stands, Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng both showed looks of worry.

Lin Xiao's strength was by no means comparable to those previous opponents.

The two ascended the arena.

Lin Xiao was tall, holding a long spear, with sharp eyes and an aura like a fierce general on the battlefield.

He sized up Ye Tian, his brow furrowing slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with his opponent's low cultivation, but he did not underestimate him, saying deeply: “Junior Brother Ye, please!”

Ye Tian remained calm as usual, cupping his hands in return: “Senior Brother Lin, please.”

The battle begins!

Lin Xiao gave a low shout and shook his long spear; the spear tip instantly turned into cold stars, heading toward Ye Tian with a piercing sound of breaking air!

It was precisely his famous ultimate skill, Shocking Thunder Hundred-Split Spear!

The spear momentum was like thunder, incredibly swift, instantly sealing off Ye Tian's path of retreat!

The audience below held their breath, all thinking Ye Tian was about to fall into a bitter struggle.

Facing this sharp offensive, Ye Tian directly used Taixu Star-Shift Steps, dodging amidst the layers of spear shadows with movements as smooth as flowing water!

“What fast movement technique!”

“He actually dodged them all!”

Lin Xiao was also startled; his fast spear was rarely matched among Outer Sect Disciples except for the top ten of the Heaven Ranking. He hadn't expected the opponent to dodge all attacks so easily!

His spear momentum changed from fast to fierce, thrusting straight at Ye Tian's chest!

Heavy and powerful, using strength to break through skill!

This time, Ye Tian no longer dodged. A flash of brilliance appeared in his eyes, and a faint five-colored halo rose on his right fist as he met the spear tip with a straight punch!

“He's actually using his fist to take Senior Brother Lin's spear head-on?!”

“Is he seeking death?”

“Ah... his hand is going to be ruined!”

Under the horrified gazes of the crowd, fist and spear collided!

“Clang!”

The scene of the fist being pierced as imagined did not appear!

Ye Tian's fist collided with the spear tip, actually producing the sound of clashing iron!

Lin Xiao only felt a terrifying giant force transmit from the spear shaft; the long spear vibrated, almost flying out of his hand!

His expression changed in horror as he retreated several steps to stabilize himself!

“Your Physical Body!”

Lin Xiao looked at Ye Tian in disbelief.

Ye Tian smiled slightly and said: “Senior Brother, be careful.”

Before his voice fell, his figure suddenly accelerated, launching an attack on his own initiative!

He did not use Starfall Finger or Overlapping Wave Fist, but instead used some simple hand-to-hand combat skills.

The Moves seemed simple, yet they always attacked where the enemy must save, with tricky angles and heavy power, completely disrupting Lin Xiao's swift spear rhythm!

Lin Xiao grew more alarmed as he fought!

The opponent's power, speed, and grasp of combat opportunities far exceeded his surface cultivation!

His own spear techniques seemed to be completely seen through by the opponent; every attack landed on empty air, while the opponent's counterattacks always found the subtle flaws in his Move transitions!

After barely ten Moves, Lin Xiao was a bit slow in executing a spear flower, revealing a slight opening at his ribs.

Ye Tian seized this fleeting opportunity, cut into the center, and struck Lin Xiao's spear-holding wrist with a hand blade!

“Crack!”

A slight sound of bone cracking!

“Ah!”

Lin Xiao let out a miserable cry, and the long spear fell from his hand to the ground!

Ye Tian followed up with a palm strike to his chest, the force controlled perfectly, sending him flying to the edge of the arena; he was not severely injured but had lost the ability to fight further.

The entire field fell silent!

Only ten Moves!

Lin Xiao, ranked fourteenth on the Heaven Ranking and at the Condensing Essence Seventh Level Middle Stage, was defeated!

Defeated by a Ningyuan Fifth Stage Peak Disciple!

Furthermore, from beginning to end, Ye Tian appeared to handle it with ease, and even his True Essence hadn't fluctuated violently!

This result far exceeded everyone's expectations!

“Ye Tian won?”

“Defeating Lin Xiao in ten Moves? This is too ridiculous!”

“Is he really at Ningyuan Fifth Stage?”

“Nonsense, can't you sense it for yourself?”

“I bet he learned some powerful Body Refining Cultivation Technique!”

An earth-shattering uproar erupted below the stage!

Everyone's gaze toward Ye Tian was filled with shock!

Liu Ruyan and Leng Feng also breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a burst of joyful light in their eyes.

Ye Tian's strength was indeed unfathomable!

On the high platform, the Elders' reactions were even more subtle.

“This boy... has definitely hidden his cultivation!”

That refined Elder said decisively, “His power, speed, reaction, and especially that terrifying Physical Body strength are definitely not something a Ningyuan Fifth Stage can possess!

In this old man's view, his true cultivation is at least at the Condensing Essence Seventh Level or above! Perhaps even higher!”

“Moreover, when he defeated Lin Xiao, there was a faint sense of a harmonious and flowing Concept within his Moves, as if he had touched the threshold of skill approaching the Dao... This boy's Comprehension Ability can be called that of a Prodigy!”

Another Elder added, his tone filled with amazement.

Elder Shuiyue and Elder Lei Gang looked at each other, both seeing the deep meaning in each other's eyes.

They knew more than the others and had a higher evaluation of Ye Tian.

Ye Tian's performance also caught the attention of those Prodigies at the top of the Heaven Ranking.

Lie Yang crossed his arms and grinned: “Interesting! This kid hid quite deeply! It seems the Grand Competition won't be boring!”

Mo Ling toyed with the parts in her hand and gave a wicked smile: “An interesting toy... I hope you can last a few more rounds.”

And in the crowd, a gaze as sharp as a sword had been firmly locked on Ye Tian from beginning to end.

It was precisely the Heaven Ranking's ninth, Liu Jingtao!

His face was cold, but deep in his eyes burned a strong Battle Intent!

Ye Tian's effortless posture and hidden strength made him feel threatened, and also stirred his strong desire to win!

“Ye Tian... I'm waiting to fight you!” Liu Jingtao thought to himself.

Ye Tian calmly walked down the arena, turning a deaf ear to the exclamations and discussions around him.

He knew that the strength he had shown had already caught others' attention, but this was still far from his all.

His gaze inadvertently swept over the direction where the top three of the Heaven Ranking were, especially that Lei Zhen, whose aura was like an abyss.

“The real challenge is still ahead.”