Ye Lingyun and the others stood at the center of the Martial Arts Arena. All around them, the spectators' eyes burned like torches, and the heated atmosphere seemed ready to set the air ablaze. At the referee's command, the warm-up tournament officially began.
In the first round, Ye Lingyun faced a young expert from the Spirit Illusion Gate named Xiao Yi. Tall and slender, Xiao Yi wore blue robes and held a folding fan, cutting an elegant figure. Yet Ye Lingyun sensed fluctuations of spiritual power from him that could not be underestimated.
"I've long heard that experts have gathered like clouds for this tournament. I didn't expect to meet you in my very first match. I hope you'll give me a battle I can enjoy to the fullest." Xiao Yi smiled faintly and gently waved his folding fan. A surge of spiritual power, soft yet concealing a keen edge, swept toward Ye Lingyun.
Ye Lingyun's expression grew solemn, and he dared not let his guard slip for an instant. He swiftly activated the Nine-Turn Spirit Illusion Art, sending spiritual power racing through his body, then unleashed the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique. A streak of sword energy slashed toward Xiao Yi's spiritual power. The two collided in a dazzling burst of light, and ripples of spiritual power spread outward, drawing cries of astonishment from the spectators.
A flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Yi's eyes. He clearly had not expected Ye Lingyun to be so powerful. Casting aside his disdain, he snapped his folding fan shut, pointed its tip at Ye Lingyun, and murmured an incantation. In an instant, countless wind blades shot toward Ye Lingyun from every direction. They moved with incredible speed and possessed astonishing cutting power, tearing through the air with a hissing sound wherever they passed.
Ye Lingyun used the Breeze Phantom Steps, his figure drifting like a phantom as he slipped effortlessly through the gaps between the wind blades. At the same time, he kept swinging his longsword, shattering each blade that drew near. As he evaded the attacks, he gradually grasped Xiao Yi's rhythm. Choosing his moment, he suddenly accelerated toward Xiao Yi just as his opponent finished a volley and his spiritual power briefly faltered.
Seeing this, Xiao Yi hurriedly waved his folding fan, forming a barrier of spiritual power before him. Rather than attack the barrier directly, Ye Lingyun unleashed the Spirit Shadow Evasion Technique the instant he drew close and vanished from the spot. Alarm shot through Xiao Yi. As he searched for Ye Lingyun, Ye Lingyun suddenly appeared behind him, concentrated all his strength into his longsword, and thrust fiercely at Xiao Yi's back.
Sensing the danger, Xiao Yi tried to turn and defend himself, but it was already too late. Ye Lingyun's longsword struck his spiritual power shield, and the tremendous force sent him staggering several steps forward. Although the blow did not injure Xiao Yi directly, it left fine cracks spreading across his shield.
Inwardly shaken, Xiao Yi gained a new appreciation of Ye Lingyun's strength. He knew he could no longer hold anything back. Driving his spiritual power to its limit, he unleashed the Spirit Illusion Gate's signature technique-the Spirit Illusion Wind and Cloud Fan. His folding fan blazed with light. With a single sweep, winds and clouds churned, and a mighty storm of spiritual power surged toward Ye Lingyun, ripping furrows into the ground in its wake.
Feeling the immense power of this attack, Ye Lingyun swiftly pushed the Star Guardian Array to its fullest. A shield shimmering with starlight instantly formed around him, its flowing runes radiating a mysterious aura. The spiritual power storm crashed against the shield with a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering roar. The tremendous impact drove Ye Lingyun backward, his feet carving two deep tracks into the ground.
Ye Lingyun strained to sustain the shield while swiftly considering how to respond. He realized that although Xiao Yi's technique was immensely powerful, it also consumed an astonishing amount of spiritual power. If he could withstand this blow, Xiao Yi's reserves would be severely depleted. Gritting his teeth, Ye Lingyun poured an unbroken stream of spiritual power into the shield.
Under Ye Lingyun's unyielding resistance, the spiritual power storm finally began to dissipate. Xiao Yi had expended an enormous amount of spiritual power, and his face had grown somewhat pale. Seizing the opportunity, Ye Lingyun unleashed the Starry Illusion Spirit Slash. A streak of sword energy containing the power of the stars and the mysteries of spiritual power's transformations soared skyward, then shot toward Xiao Yi like a meteor.
Xiao Yi no longer had the strength to evade it and could only watch as the sword energy hurtled toward him. It struck his spiritual power shield, shattering it instantly. The remaining force slammed into his body, sending him flying several yards before he crashed heavily to the ground.
At the sight, the referee immediately announced, "Ye Lingyun wins this match!"
Thunderous applause and cheers immediately erupted around the Martial Arts Arena. Ye Lingyun's brilliant performance left the spectators marveling. Those who had previously mocked and sneered at him fell silent, their eyes filled with shock and admiration.
Meanwhile, Ye Lingyun's teammates also demonstrated formidable strength in their own matches. Li Hao overpowered his opponent with fierce, forceful martial techniques; Wang Li cleverly combined pills with spiritual power control, leaving her opponent unable to guard against her attacks; Zhang Feng used his mastery of spirit arrays to trap his opponent and claim victory; Chen Yao's ranged attacks were precise and deadly, allowing her to defeat her opponent with equal ease.
The outstanding performances of Ye Lingyun and the others in the warm-up tournament drew the attention of many spectators and fellow competitors. Like dark horses, they broke away from the crowded field and became the focus of the tournament.
As round after round progressed, Ye Lingyun and the others cleared every hurdle and cut down every challenger, advancing smoothly to the warm-up tournament's finals. News of the finals stirred all of Star City. People everywhere speculated whether Ye Lingyun and the others could continue working miracles and claim the warm-up championship.
On the eve of the finals, Ye Lingyun gathered with his teammates to discuss their strategy. They knew their opponents in the finals would be exceptionally powerful, but they were fearless and brimming with confidence. They believed that as long as they stood united and brought their individual strengths into play, they would defeat their opponents and shine even more brightly on the stage of the Lingxi Star tournament... Yet what formidable opponents would they encounter in the finals, and what challenges would they face? Everything remained shrouded in uncertainty and anticipation.
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