The Main Tournament Begins

The main rounds of the Lingxi Star tournament began amid eager anticipation. The atmosphere in Star City grew ever more fervent, as though the entire city had plunged into a grand carnival. The finest young experts from across the Lingxi Continent gathered here, carrying dreams and ambitions, eager to distinguish themselves in the tournament and become the continent's next generation of legends.

As the champions of the warm-up tournament, Ye Lingyun and his companions naturally drew intense attention. Their every move became a topic of conversation, and countless eyes followed their performance in the main tournament. Yet Ye Lingyun did not let this sudden attention go to his head. He knew full well that the competition would be fiercer than in the warm-up tournament, and the opponents they faced would be stronger still.

In the first round of the main tournament, Ye Lingyun drew Chu Kuang of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect as his opponent. Known for commanding all manner of powerful demonic beasts in battle, Chu Kuang wielded strange, ever-changing methods and was one of the favorites to win the championship. When Ye Lingyun's teammates learned that he would face Chu Kuang, they could not help breaking into a cold sweat for him.

"Ye Lingyun, this Chu Kuang is no ordinary opponent. You must be careful," Li Hao said with a frown.

Ye Lingyun smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'm confident. In this match, I won't just win-I'll show everyone that we have the strength to claim the championship."

The venue was an enormous circular arena, surrounded by powerful protective arrays to ensure that the spectators would not be harmed during the match. Ye Lingyun and Chu Kuang stood at opposite ends, facing each other. Chu Kuang was burly, with a hint of a wild, unrestrained smile on his face. His eyes brimmed with provocation as he looked at Ye Lingyun.

"I hear you did well in the warm-up tournament, but that means nothing before me. Today, I'll show you the might of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect," Chu Kuang declared loudly.

Ye Lingyun did not respond. He simply watched Chu Kuang in silence, determination gleaming in his eyes. At the referee's command, the match officially began.

Chu Kuang attacked first. He muttered an incantation, and an enormous Flame Lion instantly appeared beside him. Roaring flames blazed around the lion as he let out a heaven-shaking roar and lunged at Ye Lingyun. Wherever the Flame Lion passed, the ground glowed red from the heat, and even the air seemed to catch fire.

Ye Lingyun swiftly unleashed the Star Guardian Array, and a shield enveloped him once more. The Flame Lion's attack slammed into it, scattering sparks, but the shield remained as firm as ever. Seizing his moment, Ye Lingyun unleashed the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique, sending a streak of sword energy toward the Flame Lion. The lion nimbly dodged, then opened his jaws wide and spewed a stream of scorching flames that swept toward Ye Lingyun.

Ye Lingyun darted aside, using Breeze Phantom Steps to evade the flames with ease. As he dodged the Flame Lion's attacks, he searched for a weakness. He discovered that although the lion attacked ferociously, his speed was relatively slow. With the right timing, Ye Lingyun could deliver a fatal blow.

Just as Ye Lingyun prepared to counterattack, Chu Kuang summoned two Gale Wolves. They were incredibly fast, charging toward Ye Lingyun like two bolts of black lightning. Ye Lingyun's heart tightened. He knew he could no longer keep dodging. Swiftly circulating his spiritual power, he unleashed the Starry Illusion Spirit Slash. Sword energy crisscrossed the air, shooting toward the Gale Wolves and the Flame Lion at once.

The sword energy struck the Gale Wolves and the Flame Lion, unleashing a powerful surge of spiritual power. Hit by the sword energy, the Flame Lion let out a pained cry, and the flames around him dimmed somewhat. The Gale Wolves dodged nimbly, but one was still grazed by the sword energy, slowing him slightly.

Fury surged through Chu Kuang when he saw his demonic beasts come under attack. His hands rapidly formed seals as he recited an obscure, incomprehensible incantation. In an instant, dark clouds blanketed the sky, and an enormous Thunder Dragon emerged from them. Thick bolts of lightning coiled around the dragon as he unleashed a deafening roar. His immense pressure made even the surrounding air tremble.

Sensing the immense power radiating from the Thunder Dragon, Ye Lingyun understood that this was Chu Kuang's killing move. He swiftly drove the spiritual power within his body to its limit and unleashed a new sword technique that fused the essence of the Nine-Turn Spirit Illusion Art and the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique-Starry Thunder Radiance Slash. The longsword in Ye Lingyun's hand blazed with light, brilliant stellar power and leaping lightning swirling around its blade. A streak of sword energy carrying the power to destroy heaven and earth shot toward the Thunder Dragon.

The sword energy collided with the Thunder Dragon, erupting in a dazzling flash that sent the entire arena shaking violently. Powerful waves of spiritual power broke through the protective arrays and surged outward. The spectators hurriedly conjured spiritual power shields to withstand the tremendous force.

When the light faded, Ye Lingyun and Chu Kuang came into view once more. Chu Kuang's face was pale, and his Thunder Dragon had vanished, clearly destroyed by Ye Lingyun's sword energy. Although Ye Lingyun was also somewhat out of breath, his gaze remained resolute.

Chu Kuang looked at Ye Lingyun, a flicker of defiance crossing his eyes. "I never expected you to destroy my Thunder Dragon. But this isn't over yet!"

With that, Chu Kuang summoned even more demonic beasts and sent them charging at Ye Lingyun. Ye Lingyun drew a deep breath. He knew this battle was far from over. Tightening his grip on his longsword, he prepared to face Chu Kuang's even fiercer attacks... The intense battle also set the spectators' blood boiling, and they all eagerly awaited whether Ye Lingyun could defeat Chu Kuang and advance further in the main tournament.