Yu Tianheng's Arrogance

Heaven Dou Royal Academy was the top Soul Master academy in the Heavenly Dou Empire. Its faculty and cultivation environment were both first-rate.

Yu Tianheng led the members of the Imperial Fighting Team toward Qin Ming's residence, chatting and laughing along the way.

On the road, they heard people talking about "Ling Tian," and saying that "Ling Tian is a top-tier genius on par with Yu Tianheng."

This piqued Yu Tianheng and the others' interest. After asking around, they were surprised to learn that a young genius had appeared out of nowhere at the Soul Fighting Arena. Apparently, he wasn't even eighteen yet.

After learning about Ling Tian's record, Yu Tianheng's expression turned solemn, but his eyes gleamed with fighting spirit and excitement. He looked eager to test himself.

Dugu Yan, standing beside him, gave him a sidelong glance with a faint, teasing smile.

"Tian Heng, I'm afraid you won't be able to hold on to your title as Heaven Dou City's number-one genius."

The other team members joined in, teasing their captain.

"Hmph!" Yu Tianheng snorted, lifting his chin as he said arrogantly,

"A genius who can surpass me hasn't been born yet! I'll go meet this so-called Ling Tian tomorrow and see whether he's the real deal or all reputation and no substance!"

"Hehehe, just be careful you don't lose to him and end up as the stepping-stone that makes him famous," Dugu Yan teased with a giggle.

"You think too highly of him!" Yu Tianheng scoffed.

"Just watch. I'll trample that Ling Tian beneath my feet right in front of you and turn the fame he's fought so hard to earn into another feather in my cap!"

[To advance to the Sword Path seventh stage, comprehend the Sword Heart]

Qin Yuan was fighting an opponent at the Great Soul Arena when a line of information suddenly appeared before his eyes. Joy flashed in his gaze; his experience for the Sword Path sixth stage had finally reached its limit.

He stopped holding back. Amid the crowd's excited cheers, he used his Self-Created Soul Skill to defeat his opponent in one move and claim victory.

Soul Fighting alone wouldn't do much to help him comprehend the Sword Heart. He needed to comprehend the sword, and that required fighting a top-tier swordsman.

So, after defeating his opponent, he prepared to leave the Soul Fighting Arena. Until he comprehended the Sword Heart, he wouldn't return—unless a top-tier swordsman showed up at the arena.

But just as he was about to leave, a voice rang out from the seats. It was mild, yet carried a taunting edge.

"Ling Tian, do you dare fight me?"

Qin Yuan stopped and turned to look. In the front row of the western seats sat a handsome, slender young man with his arms folded across his chest. He lounged at ease, watching Qin Yuan with a half-smile full of provocation.

Hearing that someone had actually dared to challenge Ling Tian, the spectators instinctively looked over. Their eyes widened, and cries of surprise rang out.

"It's Yu Tianheng!"

Excited, animated shouts rose from the stands.

"Yu Tianheng really came! I knew he and Ling Tian would fight!"

"I wonder which of them is stronger?"

"Come on, that's obvious. Yu Tianheng is stronger! Just look at how many years he's been famous!"

"Bullshit! I think Ling Tian's stronger! Nobody's managed to force him to show his true strength yet."

"Hmph, you'll see soon enough."

"..."

In a VIP room on the second floor of the Soul Fighting Arena, Song Qingshuang's eyes brightened. She smiled behind pursed lips.

"I came here because of Ling Tian's reputation, but I never expected to witness a fight between Senior Yu Tianheng and Ling Tian as well. What a pleasant surprise."

Then she sighed. "Still, that Ling Tian is truly terrifying. He's only a few years older than I am, yet his strength is unfathomable, like the depths of the ocean. Just like Senior Yu Tianheng.

"I wonder which family this prodigy belongs to. With talent like that, even I might not measure up."

"Let's see, then—whether Senior Yu Tianheng is stronger, or you, Ling Tian, come out on top!"

Song Qingshuang gazed down at the arena, her eyes full of anticipation.

Turning back, Qin Yuan shook his head.

"Sorry, I don't have time."

Now that his experience for the Sword Path sixth stage was full, there was no point in continuing to fight before he comprehended the Sword Heart. He wouldn't waste time on this sort of pointless rivalry.

He turned and started toward the exit, but just then Yu Tianheng scoffed behind him.

"Are you scared?"

Qin Yuan ignored him and continued walking toward the exit.

"Heh, looks like he's a coward after all. What a disappointment," Yu Tianheng jeered with contempt.

"Tian Heng!" Qin Ming frowned and rebuked him. As his teacher, how could he let his student become so rude?

"I'm just stating a fact," Yu Tianheng replied.

Dugu Yan and the others looked disappointed that they wouldn't get to see a good show. The spectators sighed as well.

"What did you just say?"

Just then, Qin Yuan stopped and turned around. He narrowed his eyes at Yu Tianheng, whose lips curled in a mocking smile.

"I said you're a coward." Yu Tianheng didn't back down, meeting Qin Yuan's gaze with a half-smile.

The air instantly grew charged, as if the two were about to clash.

Everyone in the stands—including Dugu Yan and the others, as well as Song Qingshuang in the VIP room on the second floor—held their breath and watched the two expectantly.

"Heh."

In the tense silence, Qin Yuan let out a quiet chuckle. He said nothing, merely pushed off with his toes and leaped onto the arena. Looking down at Yu Tianheng, he said,

"Get up here. I'm in a hurry."

At his words, everyone present felt their eyes flash with startling brilliance.

The battle had finally begun!

"Heh, so you do have a little courage," Yu Tianheng said with a faint smile. He sprang up from the stands and landed directly on the arena, facing Qin Yuan.

Watching this, Qin Ming gave a quiet sigh, though anticipation still showed in his eyes. After all, battles between top-tier geniuses were a rare sight.

Only the Soul Master Tournament two years from now would let him see enough to satisfy him.

Song Qingshuang, Dugu Yan, and the others watched the pair on the arena intently, their eyes brimming with anticipation.

Which of them was stronger?

"Referee, announce the start of the match," Yu Tianheng said, glancing impatiently up at the host.

He couldn't wait to show off in front of Dugu Yan and Teacher Qin Ming, to display his skills and cut a dashing figure.

At that, the host immediately shouted himself hoarse,

"I declare this match... begun!"

"Martial Soul Possession!" Yu Tianheng unleashed his full strength at once, intent on ending the fight quickly and cleanly.

As Yu Tianheng charged toward him, three Soul Rings circling his body, Qin Yuan drew the cracked long sword from his back and casually tossed it at him.

"You dare let your Martial Soul leave your body while facing me? Heh, you're asking for death!" Yu Tianheng sneered disdainfully, then reached out with his right hand, wrapped in purple lightning, to grab the sword.

Crack!

The long sword shattered into several pieces under the strain.

"Hiss!"

Everyone, who had always believed Qin Yuan's Martial Soul was a sword, drew in a sharp breath at the sight.

Yu Tianheng had actually crushed Ling Tian's Martial Soul with his bare hand. Was the gap between them really that great?

As expected of Heaven Dou City's number-one genius, famous for so many years!

Below the arena, Song Qingshuang, Dugu Yan, Qin Ming, and the others all looked disappointed. They had thought this would be an evenly matched, thrilling battle.

They hadn't expected a one-sided crush. How boring!

"Hahahaha! I've crushed your Martial Soul. How are you going to fight me now?"

Yu Tianheng charged forward, laughing mockingly, his eyes full of scorn and amusement.