125: The arrogant Huangfu Tianming

"Next, I invite contestant number six to the stage to continue the challenge," the eunuch host announced loudly.

At this moment, a young man with an extraordinary air and a face as handsome as jade stood up. This person was none other than Ximenting, one of the four seeded contestants of this Four Sect Grand Competition.

He stood tall with a steady gait, his entire being radiating an innate confidence and majesty.

He walked to the space between Yang Lingchen and Ouyang Yunmeng, hesitated for a moment, and said in a deep voice, "I choose to challenge number one, Yang Lingchen."

Ximenting's voice was not loud, but it clearly spread across the entire martial arts square, causing a gasp of surprise from the audience.

Seeing that his opponent was actually challenging him, Yang Lingchen stood up directly from the champion's throne.

His figure was agile, his gaze like a torch, and the heaven-reaching staff in his hand emitted a biting chill.

"Hmph."

The heaven-reaching staff appeared in Yang Lingchen's hand once again. He stared intently at his opponent; on the Arena, he never underestimated any opponent.

"Although you are very strong, I will not easily give up the position of champion."

Ximenting's eyes were firm, his tone filled with determination.

He knew the extent of Yang Lingchen's strength, but as a seeded contestant, he had his own pride and beliefs.

"The champion title can only belong to me. If I do not yield it, no one can take it away."

Yang Lingchen stared at his opponent, a faint smile on his lips, and said every word clearly.

His words were filled with absolute confidence and dominance, as if the champion's position was already securely in his grasp.

"Clang."

Ximenting drew his battle sword. The blade flashed with a cold light, reflecting his solemn gaze. He said, "Arrogant enough. Make your move!"

He was fully prepared to go all out and battle Yang Lingchen for victory.

"Once I make my move, you will not have any chance to retaliate," Yang Lingchen said proudly.

His tone was filled with absolute confidence in his own strength.

To deal with Ximenting, Yang Lingchen did not need to use a trump card Martial Skill like the Soul Devouring Slash. As long as the opponent's cultivation level was still within the Seventh Layer of the King Realm, he could easily crush him.

"Since you are so arrogant, don't blame me for being impolite."

Ximenting gave a cold shout and swung his battle sword instantly, unleashing a sharp Sword Qi that slashed towards Yang Lingchen. The Sword Qi was like a rainbow, whistling as it tore through the air, demonstrating immense power.

Yang Lingchen shifted his figure slightly, easily dodging the Sword Qi. At the same time, he quickly smashed his right hand, sending out a blast of Protective Aura from the heaven-reaching staff.

This blast of Protective Aura seemed substantial, sweeping towards Ximenting with immense oppressive force.

Facing this powerful strike from Yang Lingchen, Ximenting retreated several steps rapidly, barely managing to dodge the staff energy.

Beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, and he was secretly shocked in his heart that Yang Lingchen's strength was actually this formidable.

"Boom, boom, boom...!"

Yang Lingchen's staff energy slammed heavily into the ground. Instantly, dust flew, stone slabs shattered, and a huge crater appeared.

The entire martial arts square trembled slightly, as if it could not withstand such immense power.

"Swish!"

At this moment, Ximenting's figure suddenly shot forward, rushing quickly towards Yang Lingchen. His speed was extremely fast, like a bolt of lightning, instantly closing the distance to Yang Lingchen.

Just as his battle sword was about to strike Yang Lingchen, a residual image flashed by, and Yang Lingchen's figure had already vanished from the spot.

"Bang."

At this moment, Ximenting felt a sudden pain in his back. Immediately after, he was sent flying and slammed heavily off the Arena.

He felt as if his internal organs had been displaced, and the pain was unbearable.

"Cough, cough..."

Ximenting slowly stood up, coughing up a bit of blood, his face pale. But he still forced himself to endure the pain, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you for showing mercy. You win."

He knew that Yang Lingchen had held back in that previous strike; otherwise, his injuries would have been much more severe.

"Mm."

Yang Lingchen did not say anything like "I concede" or similar polite phrases. He just gave an "Mm" and returned to his champion's throne.

His expression remained cold and indifferent, as if the battle just now was merely an insignificant interlude.

The Royal Viewing Platform.

"Ziwei, after the Grand Competition, I want to see him."

Huangfu Loulan's cold yet melodious voice rang out, her beautiful face carrying a hint of curiosity and anticipation.

After saying this, she left the viewing stand, because in her view, the outcome of this Grand Competition was already clear.

"Yes, Your Highness," the maid named Ziwei replied, then followed Huangfu Loulan as she left the scene.

The next to challenge was a Disciple of the Tiantian Sect, and the one he challenged was a Disciple of the Heavenly Yin Sect.

Yang Lingchen did not pay much attention to this battle; the only person he was concerned with now was Hong Tianyi.

As long as Hong Tianyi dared to challenge him, Yang Lingchen would use thunderous momentum to instantly annihilate him, never giving the opponent any chance to concede.

Yang Lingchen also had no good feelings towards the Heavenly Yin Sect.

Especially that bitch Wang Yuyan; she had likely leaked the news about the heavenly martial divine pearl, otherwise the Heavenly Yin Sect Grand Elder would not have come to hunt him down.

"It seems it is time to refine the heavenly martial divine pearl."

Yang Lingchen secretly made a decision in his heart.

The heavenly martial divine pearl was nurtured from the Origin of the Tianwu Continent, and the energy within it was immeasurable.

As long as he refined the heavenly martial divine pearl, Yang Lingchen estimated that he could break through at least several Realms. By then, in his eyes, Medicine King Valley would be no different from mere rabble.

Yang Lingchen had not refined the heavenly martial divine pearl during this period mainly because he feared encountering danger.

Because once the heavenly martial divine pearl was refined, it was very likely that another person possessing a heavenly martial divine pearl would sense it, and then he would fall into a huge crisis.

Just at this moment, it was finally Hong Tianyi's turn to step onto the stage to challenge.

The moment Hong Tianyi stood up, he immediately attracted the attention of countless people at the scene.

As the biggest favorite of this Four Sect Grand Competition, Hong Tianyi ranked first on various prediction lists, which showed everyone's recognition of Hong Tianyi's strength.

But now, no one expected that Yang Lingchen, this dark horse, would suddenly appear halfway through.

"Elder Wei, who do you think will ultimately be the champion of this Grand Competition?"

The Crown Prince asked calmly, a confident smile on his face, as if everything was under his control.

"Your Highness, if it were before today, I would choose Hong Tianyi. If you ask me now, I would choose Yang Lingchen without hesitation," Elder Wei said, his gaze filled with contemplation and caution.

"Oh! Why does Elder Wei think so highly of Yang Lingchen?" The Crown Prince asked proudly, appearing somewhat dissatisfied with Elder Wei's answer.

"Although Yang Lingchen's cultivation level is only at the Eighth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm, he possesses a Heaven-Defying Cross-Rank Challenge ability."

"Moreover, judging from his previous battles, he has never used his full strength, which shows how terrifying his Cross-Rank Challenge ability is. More importantly, he is only sixteen years old."

Elder Wei said in a deep voice, his tone filled with admiration for Yang Lingchen and worry about the future situation.

"Then, in your opinion, Elder Wei, is Yang Lingchen worth recruiting?" The Crown Prince asked, a trace of calculation flashing in his eyes.

"Of course he is worth it. Throughout history, those who can possess such Heaven-Defying challenge abilities are all epoch-making top experts. Therefore, I believe Your Highness should make every effort to recruit this person, especially while his wings are not yet fully grown; that is the best time to recruit him."

"If he cannot be recruited, then he must be strangled in the cradle. Otherwise, if he is recruited by other princes, he will become a huge stumbling block for Your Highness's future ascension to the throne."

Elder Wei said in a solemn voice, his expression serious, his analysis of the situation very clear in his mind.

"Elder Wei, you are overthinking. Yang Lingchen's strength is merely at the Eighth Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm. No matter how much of a Genius he is, in my eyes, he is nothing more than a grasshopper. If he cannot be used by me, I can pinch him to death at any time."

The Crown Prince's eyes revealed a wild and uninhibited confidence; he did not put Yang Lingchen in his eyes at all.

"Your Highness is right; I am overthinking," Elder Wei bowed and said.

Although Elder Wei admitted with his mouth that he was overthinking, he always felt that a Genius like Yang Lingchen would definitely rise, and The Crown Prince would pay a heavy price for his arrogance.

At this moment, Hong Tianyi on the Arena slowly walked in front of Yang Lingchen.

A pair of cold, bloodthirsty eyes stared fixedly at Yang Lingchen, while a wicked, cold smile played on the corners of his mouth.

"Brat, This Young Master said I would tear you into ten thousand pieces. Now, roll down and accept your death!" Hong Tianyi said coldly, his voice filled with hatred and killing intent.

"Yo! Isn't this the brain-dead kid who was brutally beaten by me before? Have you forgotten the pain now that your wounds have healed?" Yang Lingchen slowly stood up, the corners of his mouth slightly raised with a mocking smile, his eyes filled with disdain.

"Little Bastard, today This Young Master will grind your bones and scatter your ashes."

Hong Tianyi said through gritted teeth, his body trembling slightly from anger.

"A defeated opponent is ultimately a defeated opponent. No matter how much you say, it cannot hide the fact that you were brutally beaten by me," Yang Lingchen laughed.

His laughter echoed throughout the entire martial arts square, instantly causing a huge uproar at the scene.

Everyone never expected that Hong Tianyi actually had a history of being brutally beaten by Yang Lingchen.

"I heard that Yang Lingchen was only at the Spiritual Profound Realm a few months ago."

"Yeah! This is too incredible, to think he could brutally beat Hong Tianyi while at the Spiritual Profound Realm."

"Could this Hong Tianyi just be famous for nothing?"

"It's hard to say."

For a time, the scene was abuzz with discussion, with various guesses and questioning voices rising one after another.