Following a loud bang, Li Lingtian swayed his body and activated his Breeze Technique. At the swing of his arm, a silver glow flickered before his body descended on the ground and he stood firmly at the edge of the arena with his back towards Zhong Yun.
"Pft swoosh."
Zhong Yun leaped to withdraw himself but before he could secure a footing, a peculiar glow was shot towards him, catching him by surprise. The velocity was so quick, it almost surpassed the naked eye.
The moment the destructive attack struck him in the chest, it also crushed his powerful defense. Like a kite with a cut in the string, he was blown away, and he eventually fell off the arena.
"D*mn it."
After falling off the arena, Zhong Yun inspected his torn garment and bloodstained chest. Although he did sustain some injuries, he knew that Li Lingtian had shown mercy, else he would be long gone.
"What a peculiar blade glow."
"The speed went beyond a Warrior. Even a Warrior Spirit would not be able to demonstrate such velocity."
"This is the Astounding Sword Technique's first form, Bright Moon in Soft Breeze. Who would have thought he'd be able to cultivate this Bright Moon in Soft Breeze to Fruition."
"Meticulous calculation, exquisite speed, and flawless. No Warrior disciples would be able to ward off this move."
"It's a pity. Zhong Yun lost before he had a chance to use his Spiritual Equipment."
The Warrior Spirits and Warrior Kings above the arenas nodded their heads in satisfaction as they engaged in a discussion on Li Lingtian's earlier move. This also came as a surprise to the countless disciples beneath the arena. Zhong Yun, who they had expected to win did not even have a chance to demonstrate his Spiritual Equipment.
"Li Lingtian, wins," Long Tian announced Li Lingtian's victory.
He then began to call other disciples up to the arena while spectating other ongoing matches.
The tournament wore Long Tian out the most as he had to host matches in four arenas without any break.
"Senior Brother Li, that strike was awesome and powerful."
"Hello, Senior Brother Li."
"Senior Brother Li."
Li Lingtian moved towards Tang Zimeng after he got down from the arena. While he was on his way down, many Warriors greeted Li Lingtian with respect. After all, it was a dog-eat-dog world. Li Lingtian may be young but his terrifying abilities left everyone tiptoeing around him.
At that moment, two Tier Three Warrior Spirits were engaged in a fierce battle on the fourth stage's platform. Due to that, disciples beneath the arena had scattered afar as powerful forces ravaged the air.
"Tier Three Warrior Spirit. I won't be able to win if I went for Bright Moon in Soft Breeze, unless I resort to using the Kylin Sword or Sky Perishing Spear."
Li Lingtian played out the scenario in his mind, taking the angle of the Tier Three Warrior Spirit's opponent as he watched the match happen on the platform. This was because he would sooner or later encounter a Tier Three Warrior Spirit, perhaps even a Tier Six or Seven Warrior Spirit.
As time passed, Li Lingtian was back on the arena for another match but he and other Warriors were dumbstruck by this round. His opponent threw in the towel and admitted defeat.
With that, he was now one of the top hundred disciples and that gained him attention among countless disciples in Sky Cloud Sect. In a short span of two days, Li Lingtian rose to fame faster than some of the top geniuses.
He had triumphed the arena several times with only an Amber Tier inferior Flaming Divine Fist and struck Zhong Yun out with a single blade in a battle.
"The morning tournament is over and will continue in the afternoon," Long Tian declared after two rounds of matches ended.
Following that, the disciples dispersed because there was no point in waiting when it was two hours away from the afternoon's matches.
Li Lingtian and Tang Zimeng left the square and headed deep into the mountains. They used to have fun in these places but had grown apart during the two years.
Li Lingtian was going to return for rest because he had more rounds happening in the afternoon. There were three matches in the afternoon and if luck was on his side, he would advance to the top ten. The top ten disciples in the third stage would have the opportunity to venture into higher level matches.
However, he was in a great mood to have the company of a beauty. The duo spent the entire noon strolling in the mountains before they went back to the square. By the time they made it to the square, many disciples had arrived.
In the ensuing afternoon, Li Lingtian had entered the top ten without a hitch. Nevertheless, Li Lingtian did not fight with the other disciples for the ranking in the ten top spots and so, he ranked tenth.
This was because he wanted to save his strength to compete for Sky Cloud Sect's spot in the top hundred in tomorrow's competition. The top ten rankings in the third stage were nothing in comparison as the inner sect geniuses were the true masters.
"All elimination rounds are over. Tomorrow marks the beginning of challenge rounds to decide Sky Cloud Sect's top one hundred."
After Long Tian announced the instructions given by the four Warrior Kings, the Warrior Spirit and Warrior King Powerhouses departed the stage while other disciples went on their way.
"Brother Lingtian, Mengmeng will support you no matter what you do. I'll be heading off now. Rest well."
Tang Zimeng did not want to leave Li Lingtian but she recalled Li Lingtian's aim to be top of the inner sect. She was aware that tomorrow was a huge day for Li Lingtian.
As she did not want Li Lingtian to have any regrets, she had to stay away from disrupting Li Lingtian's rest. Hence, she trod towards her residence with heavy footsteps.
Upon returning to his room, Li Lingtian cultivated in peace. He circulated Bright Moon in Soft Breeze, Vast Obscure Extermination, Flaming Divine Fist, and Ice Vitality Divine Fist to bring his skills to full play for the next day.
In Sky Cloud Sect, there was a restricted area where only Warrior King-class Elders were allowed in. This was the Divine Cloud Hall.
Divine Cloud Hall was established by Sky Cloud Sect's founder, Warrior Ruler
On this day, Divine Cloud Hall was brightly lit in the dark of the night. Twenty over Warrior Kings were seated in two rows in the hall while an elder in black took a seat in the center.
There was an absence of Qi from this person but he emitted an immovable vigor as if a weight was over everyone's head. There were many Tier Six, Seven, and even Tier Nine Warrior Kings present yet they dared not let out a breath in front of this elder.
Ling Tianfeng, Sky Cloud Sect's leader, was a Tier Five Warrior Ascendant Powerhouse. He was a Powerhouse of over a century years old and he wielded the highest authority in Sky Cloud Sect.
These Warrior Kings beneath him were core members of Sky Cloud Sect. Each one of them was dominant in their own right yet here they were, gathered together.
"What do you think of the tournament this time?" Ling Tianfeng dully asked.
His voice may not be loud but the vigor of a superior being filled the room. It was as if he reigned over the entire hall.
The strength of a sect did not depend on the number of Warrior Kings or Ascendants but the varying gifted disciples. The disciples held the key to the future to carry forward the sect.
Without any successors, the sect would meet its fated end.
"Sect Leader, there are indeed many great disciples in this Grand Tournament."
"One of the disciples was still a Warrior Apprentice a year ago but seemed to have reached the Tier Nine peak Warrior in perfection in this tournament. He only demonstrated an Amber Tier inferior Flaming Divine Fist in the few rounds so I can't tell much about his ability. It's my first inability to read a Warrior disciple."
Qin Tian stood up and gave Ling Tianfeng a bow. Then, he explained the circumstance surrounding Li Lingtian with a baffled look.
"History, identity, background."
Ling Tianfeng paused before he showed some interest. He then looked at Qin Tian and asked indifferently. It was great for a sect to have a gifted disciple but loyalty was a must. It would only spell trouble if he were a spy sent by other forces.
"The son of Sky Dragon Empire's Nobleman Pingbei, the fiancé of the Tang family's granddaughter and an aristocrat to the empire."
"I suspect that he has something to do with the Fire Dragon Cave incident or he wouldn't be in possession of such a pure Flaming Qi. Could it be… Could it be that he has entered the Fire Dragon Cave!"
Qin Tian disclosed Li Lingtian's identity and background. None of the details escaped their eyes. However, as Li Lingtian's display of his ordinary Flaming Divine Fist's massive force from in the past two days came to mind, he immediately formed an association with the Fire Dragon Cave incident.
Li Lingtian may think that others were unaware of the Fire Dragon Cave incident but the cave was an important place in Sky Cloud Sect. Sky Cloud Sect had eyes on every movement and had long discovered the problem in Fire Dragon Cave.
"Save that for another day. It's his destiny if it really is him. Check on his Warrior Soul and attributes then. What about the other disciples?"
Ling Tianfeng nodded. As the Sect Leader of a super force, he was not bothered by this. It was alright for the sect to sustain a bit of loss as long as the Sky Cloud Sect disciple checked out.
"The other disciples fared better than in former tournaments. Sky Cloud Sect should gain a few Warrior Kings in less than ten years. By the looks of it, the few talented disciples may eventually become the backbone of the sect."
Qin Tian went through a list of gifted disciples who participated in the last two days of the tournament. Those whom he approved of were great talents that had a shot in becoming Warrior Kings or Warrior Ascendants.
"This tournament will decide the direction of our Sky Cloud Sect for the next century.
"You are all aware that the opening of Hidden Dragon Isle is around the corner. The Four Great Empires of East Spirit Greenland, the Four Mysterious Clans, and countless liberal cultivators will be entering the isle.
"We, as part of the Big Four Sects in Sky Dragon Empire, only hold two hundred quotas for our sect. The chances are really slim so each disciple that has access should be guaranteed an abundance of medicinal ingredients. If we're left with no other choices, anything that is unattainable to our Sky Cloud Sect should be unattainable for the other sects."
Ling Tianfeng spoke solemnly with expectant eyes. The East Spirit Greenland, Four Great Empires, Four Mysterious Clans, and countless liberal cultivators were looking forward to the opening of Hidden Dragon Isle. Hence, Sky Cloud Sect could not afford to be careless.
"We understand. We will do our utmost on this matter."
The Warrior Kings replied and saluted with respect. Not only would a powerful sect require great power, but it would also require the strength of cohesiveness.
"This time, Qin Tian, Zhang Ling, you four will be advancing to Hidden Dragon Isle to make sure no threats come to any Sky Cloud Sect disciples. You're entrusted with full responsibility for the whole year on Hidden Dragon Isle. Double the prize for the top three disciples in the tournament. Ensure that they leave Hidden Dragon Isle safely to the best of your ability.
"These are the rewards for the top three, but wait until the tournament is over before opening them. Also, double the benefits for all disciples and nurture the peripheral disciples after the tournament. Sky Cloud Sect cannot wait any longer. Go now."
At the swing of Ling Tianfeng's arm, three storage sacks appeared. Following his gaze, these storage sacks flew towards Qin Tian as if they were under his control.
Ling Tianfeng then disappeared out of the blue. With that, the rest of the Warrior Kings swiftly left the Divine Cloud Hall and returned to their post.