The day of the warm-up tournament's final at last arrived amid universal anticipation. The arena in Star City was packed so tightly that not even water could seep through, with people coming from every direction just to witness this showdown at the summit. Ye Lingyun and his teammates stood on one side of the arena, solemnly watching their opponents-five elite disciples from the Heavenly Profound Sect. The Heavenly Profound Sect was renowned across the Lingxi Continent, and its disciples had always been known for their formidable strength and seamless coordination.
Leading the five disciples of the Heavenly Profound Sect was their eldest senior brother, Qin Yi. He was tall, his presence steady, and he radiated the authority of someone accustomed to command. Qin Yi swept his gaze over Ye Lingyun and the others, a flicker of disdain crossing his eyes. "You think the handful of you can defeat us in the final? You're dreaming with your eyes open."
Ye Lingyun was not angered by Qin Yi's words. He answered calmly, "The outcome is still uncertain. We'll settle it in the arena."
The referee stepped forward and read out the rules. "This final is a team match. To win, either side must defeat every member of the opposing team or render them unable to fight. Lethal attacks are forbidden; stop once a decisive hit has been landed. Now, begin!"
At the referee's command, both sides sprang into action. Qin Yi attacked first, a longsword appearing in his hand, its blade gleaming gold. He unleashed the Heavenly Profound Sect's signature technique, Heavenly Dipper Sword Shadow Art. His figure flickered, instantly transforming into several sword shadows that hurtled toward Ye Lingyun. Each shadow carried tremendous spiritual power, as though it would tear Ye Lingyun apart.
Ye Lingyun dared not be careless. He swiftly unleashed Star Guardian Array, and a shield shimmering with starlight instantly enveloped him. The sword shadows struck it with a succession of clear, ringing impacts. Ripples spread across the shield, but it continued to protect Ye Lingyun firmly.
Meanwhile, the other four disciples of the Heavenly Profound Sect attacked Ye Lingyun's teammates. Their second senior brother, Lin Feng, specialized in speed. Like a bolt of black lightning, he appeared before Li Hao in an instant, thrusting his dagger straight at Li Hao's throat. Li Hao snorted coldly, swung his great saber, and unleashed Cleave Mount Hua, driving Lin Feng back with overwhelming force.
Their third senior sister, Liu Mei, manipulated her spiritual power to summon countless ice blossoms and send them shooting toward Wang Li. Wang Li quickly prepared several pills with a dispelling effect and threw them at the blossoms. The pills exploded, and powerful surges of spiritual power dispersed the ice blossoms.
Their fourth junior brother, Zhao Hu, excelled at defense. He charged toward Zhang Feng, attempting to destroy the Spirit Array Zhang Feng had laid out. While evading Zhao Hu's attacks, Zhang Feng swiftly adjusted his Spirit Array, setting a trapping array around him.
Their fifth junior sister, Li Yue, launched ranged attacks, sending beams of spiritual power toward Chen Yao. Chen Yao nimbly dodged the beams while continually firing arrows of spiritual power in retaliation.
The battle instantly reached a stalemate, both sides trading blows without giving an inch. Ye Lingyun knew this could not continue; they had to break the deadlock as quickly as possible. Spotting a gap between Qin Yi's attacks, he unleashed 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 Qin Yi.
Sensing the tremendous power within the sword energy, Qin Yi's expression shifted slightly. He swiftly recalled his sword shadows and condensed a golden barrier of spiritual power before him. The sword energy struck the barrier, erupting in a dazzling blaze. The powerful impact forced Qin Yi several steps back.
Seizing the opportunity, Ye Lingyun shouted to his teammates, "Follow my lead! Concentrate our strength and take one of them down first!" Understanding at once, his teammates adjusted their tactics and attacked the Heavenly Profound Sect's fifth junior sister, Li Yue.
Brandishing his great saber, Li Hao charged toward Li Yue first. Lin Feng tried to intercept him, but Chen Yao's spiritual power arrows forced him back. Wang Li quickly prepared a pill with a stunning effect and hurled it at Li Yue. Unable to dodge in time, Li Yue was enveloped by the smoke from the exploding pill, and her movements instantly became sluggish.
Zhang Feng seized the opportunity to strengthen his trapping array, holding Zhao Hu firmly inside and preventing him from coming to her aid. Ye Lingyun unleashed Starry Illusion Spirit Slash once more, sending sword energy shooting toward Li Yue. By then, she was powerless to evade it. The sword energy struck her, sending her flying backward before she crashed heavily to the ground, unable to fight.
The other four disciples of the Heavenly Profound Sect were shocked. They had never expected Ye Lingyun and his teammates to coordinate so seamlessly and defeat one of their teammates so quickly.
"Hold steady! Don't panic! Attack together and defeat them!" Qin Yi shouted. The four remaining disciples quickly gathered, forming a sword array as they attacked Ye Lingyun and his teammates.
Ye Lingyun watched the four charging toward them, his gaze resolute. He told his teammates, "Don't be afraid! Stick to the plan!"
Ye Lingyun unleashed Breeze Phantom Steps, his figure drifting unpredictably like a specter as he charged into the sword array first. His longsword flashed repeatedly as he executed exquisite sword techniques, engaging all four opponents in close combat. Under Ye Lingyun's cover, Li Hao searched for an opening in the sword array. Wang Li continually cast enhancement spells on her teammates from the rear, strengthening their combat abilities. Chen Yao stood at a distance, using spiritual power arrows to disrupt their opponents' movements. Zhang Feng swiftly laid out a support Spirit Array to increase the rate at which his teammates recovered spiritual power.
Under Ye Lingyun and his teammates' close coordination, openings gradually appeared in the Heavenly Profound Sect's sword array. Li Hao seized the right moment and struck with all his strength, successfully breaking through the sword array and hitting Lin Feng. With Lin Feng wounded, the sword array began to falter.
Ye Lingyun seized his chance and unleashed the strongest move of Starry Illusion Spirit Slash. The sword energy blazed brilliantly, streaking across the sky like a meteor as it shot toward Qin Yi. Qin Yi defended with all his strength, but he still could not withstand its tremendous power and was sent flying by the sword energy.
With Qin Yi's fall, the Heavenly Profound Sect's other two disciples lost their will to fight and were soon defeated by Ye Lingyun and his teammates.
Seeing this, the referee immediately announced, "The winner of this match is Ye Lingyun's team!"
Deafening cheers erupted around the arena. Through their outstanding strength and seamless coordination, Ye Lingyun and his teammates had defeated their formidable opponents in the warm-up tournament's final and claimed the championship.
Their names quickly spread throughout Star City, becoming legends on everyone's lips. This victory also brought Ye Lingyun and his teammates great renown in the "Lingxi Star" competition, laying a solid foundation for the journey ahead. Yet they knew that the true challenges had only just begun. The main tournament of the "Lingxi Star" competition was about to raise its curtain, and more powerful opponents awaited them. How would Ye Lingyun and his teammates face the challenges of the main tournament? Could they hack through thorns and brambles all the way to the competition's summit? Everything remained uncertain, but Ye Lingyun and his teammates were fully prepared to stride toward even greater goals...
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