The morning sunlight slipped like golden threads through the tall trees surrounding the Ye Family's tournament grounds, spilling gently onto the broad, level flagstones. Only a few short hours remained before the finals of the Ye Family Small Tournament, and the entire Ye Family was steeped in an atmosphere of tension and excitement.
Ye Lingyun slowly opened his eyes as he emerged from his meditative cultivation, a sharp gleam flashing through them. After the arduous breakthrough and training of the previous night, he could clearly feel the power surging within him. The advancement of his martial soul and his new understanding of the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique filled him with confidence for the coming final. Yet he also knew that Ye Long was no easy opponent. This final would surely be a bitter battle.
He rose, briefly stretched his body, and began checking his equipment. He picked up the longsword that had accompanied him through many battles. Its blade gleamed coldly, its edge still razor-sharp, but Ye Lingyun carefully wiped it down nonetheless, as though determined to remove every trace of impurity that might affect the fight. He then took some healing pills and spirit crystals for replenishing spiritual power from his storage ring, arranging them neatly so that they would be ready whenever he needed them during the final.
Meanwhile, in another courtyard of the Ye Family estate, Ye Long was also preparing for the final. Tall and stern-faced, he was an undisputed powerhouse among the Ye Family's younger generation. The championship of this small tournament had seemed all but in his pocket. Yet Ye Lingyun's performance throughout the tournament had forced him to take notice.
"This Ye Lingyun has a few tricks up his sleeve. He actually fought his way into the final." Ye Long frowned slightly, a trace of disdain flashing through his eyes. "But in the end, he's only a collateral-branch disciple, nowhere near my level. This final will be nothing more than going through the motions."
Several disciples from the Ye Family's main line stood beside Ye Long, eagerly agreeing. "Brother Long, you're the cream of our Ye Family's younger generation. You cultivate top-tier martial techniques, and your martial soul is incredibly powerful. How could Ye Lingyun possibly compare to you?"
"Exactly. Brother Long only needs to lift a finger to make him realize he's outmatched and retreat."
The corners of Ye Long's mouth lifted into a confident smile. "That may be true, but we mustn't be careless. I heard that Ye Lingyun displayed considerable strength in his match against Ye Bao. He may still have something hidden up his sleeve."
With that, Ye Long circulated the spiritual power within his body and began practicing the moves of the Dragon Flame Heaven-Dominating Art. Flames rose around him, and his spiritual power surged like raging waves. Every punch unleashed a scorching surge of flame, roasting the surrounding air until it warped and twisted.
"The Dragon Flame Heaven-Dominating Art truly lives up to its reputation!" the main-line disciples beside him exclaimed in admiration.
Ye Long stopped, a ruthless glint flashing through his eyes. "Ye Lingyun, whatever tricks you have, they're useless before absolute strength. In the final, I'll crush you completely and show everyone that I, Ye Long, am the king of the Ye Family's younger generation!"
Meanwhile, the seats around the Ye Family's training grounds had gradually filled with clansmen and representatives of other factions from Greenrock City. They leaned toward one another, murmuring and debating, their conversations all revolving around the final that was about to begin.
"Who do you think will win this final?" asked someone who looked like a Ye Family elder.
"In my opinion, Ye Long's victory is beyond question. He's the strongest of the Ye Family's younger generation. His martial soul realm is two stages above Ye Lingyun's, and he cultivates top-tier martial techniques," another elder replied.
"That may be true, but anyone who can fight his way into the final is no ordinary contender. Perhaps Ye Lingyun really will give us a surprise," someone else said.
"Hmph, I think he's merely been lucky. His earlier opponents were either too weak or careless enough to underestimate him. Against Ye Long, he probably won't withstand even a single move," someone said disdainfully.
Amid the crowd's discussion, Ye Lingyun and Ye Long stepped onto the tournament platform one after the other. Ye Lingyun wore a fitted black martial outfit, standing tall with a firm, confident gaze. Ye Long wore an ornate golden robe, his bearing imposing and his expression tinged with arrogance.
The spectators immediately fell silent when they saw the two men take the stage. Every gaze fixed on the tournament platform, awaiting the start of this clash between the best.
Ye Lingyun watched Ye Long across from him, inwardly on guard. He knew how powerful Ye Long was and could not afford the slightest carelessness. Ye Long also sized him up, a trace of disdain flashing through his eyes. "Ye Lingyun, making it to the final proves you have some ability. But today is where your road ends. If you know what's good for you, surrender now and spare yourself the humiliation in front of everyone."
Ye Lingyun smiled faintly. "Ye Long, we don't yet know whose hand will fell the deer. Enough pointless talk. Make your move!"
Ye Long's expression darkened, and he snorted coldly. "You don't know whether to live or die!" Spiritual power surged around him as he instantly unleashed the Dragon Flame Heaven-Dominating Art. Scorching flames lunged at Ye Lingyun like a roaring fire dragon. Wherever it passed, the air seemed to ignite, sizzling sharply.
Ye Lingyun dared not be careless. He swiftly unleashed Breeze Phantom Steps, his movements flickering like a phantom as he nimbly dodged the fire dragon's attacks. His figure wove through the flames, searching for an opening in Ye Long's defenses. Yet Ye Long's attacks came without pause, like furious winds and driving rain, leaving Ye Lingyun unable to find a chance to strike back.
"Trying to dodge? It won't be that easy!" Ye Long shouted. His hands rapidly formed seals, and the fire dragon abruptly accelerated, splitting off several smaller dragons that converged on Ye Lingyun from different directions. Ye Lingyun's heart tightened at the sight. He knew he could no longer keep evading; he had to take the offensive.
Ye Lingyun circulated his spiritual power, poured the power of his martial soul into his longsword, and unleashed Starburst Appears from the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique. A fierce streak of sword energy shot from the tip and collided head-on with the fire dragon. With a thunderous boom, the sword energy and fire dragon canceled each other out, and the resulting spiritual power fluctuations made the tournament platform tremble.
The spectators exclaimed in amazement at the sight. "Who would have thought Ye Lingyun could stand against Ye Long head-on? It looks like this match will be worth watching!"
Ye Long was also somewhat startled. He had not expected Ye Lingyun to block his attack so easily. But he quickly regained his composure, irritation flashing through his eyes. "You have some skill, but that's still nowhere near enough!"
Ye Long attacked again, this time unleashing Fire Dragon Burns the Heavens, an advanced move of the Dragon Flame Heaven-Dominating Art. He raised both hands, and an enormous phantom fire dragon appeared in the sky. Opening its gaping, blood-red maw, it snapped viciously at Ye Lingyun. Terrifying heat radiated from its body. Ye Lingyun felt as though the surrounding air had instantly evaporated, and his skin stung beneath the scorching heat.
Knowing how powerful this move was, Ye Lingyun dared not take it head-on. He focused his entire mind, pushed his martial soul's power to its limit, and unleashed Meteor Chases the Moon from his improved Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique. A sword silhouette streaked like a meteor, carrying powerful sword energy as it thrust toward the fire dragon's eyes.
The fire dragon seemed to sense the threat. Its body twisted, avoiding Ye Lingyun's attack. Yet Ye Lingyun did not give up. Seizing the opening as it dodged, he flashed beneath the fire dragon and struck again. This time, his sword pierced its belly. The fire dragon let out a furious roar, its body shuddering violently.
Ye Long's expression changed. He had not expected Ye Lingyun to find an opening amid such a powerful attack and strike back. He increased his spiritual power output, strengthening the fire dragon once more. It broke free of Ye Lingyun's attack and lunged at him again.
Ye Lingyun knew he could no longer remain on the receiving end. He decided to take a risk. Gathering all the spiritual power within his body into his longsword, he unleashed Brilliant Star River, the strongest move of the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique. In an instant, the longsword blazed with light. Countless streaks of sword energy, radiant as a river of stars, swept toward the fire dragon.
The fire dragon collided with the sword energy, erupting in dazzling light. Powerful spiritual power fluctuations swept across the entire tournament platform like a hurricane. The spectators hurried backward to avoid being injured by them.
When the light faded, Ye Lingyun and Ye Long came back into view. Ye Lingyun's face was slightly pale, and his clothes were somewhat torn, but his gaze remained resolute. Ye Long was breathing a little heavily, a trace of surprise on his face.
"I didn't expect you to withstand that move. Ye Lingyun, you really have made me see you in a new light. But that's still nowhere near enough. From now on, I won't hold back!" Ye Long said.
Ye Lingyun smiled faintly. "I had exactly the same thought. Ye Long, bring out all your strength. Let me see just how much weight you carry as a powerhouse of the Ye Family's younger generation!"
With that, the two attacked again, and the battle on the tournament platform grew fiercer...
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