Chapter 400 - 398: Battle of the Strongest Prodigies

Luo Tian and Qi Yuntian took the stage, and the battle between two Kings of the Celestial Pride began.

"Grand Elder, what do you think Luo Tian’s chances of winning are?" a high-ranking member of the Yunxiao Sect asked.

"Vice President Long, what are Qi Yuntian’s chances of winning?" a high-ranking member of the Celestial Ring Alliance also inquired.

"Around fifty percent..."

The Grand Elder and Vice President Long spoke almost simultaneously.

Originally, they had both believed Qi Yuntian had the better chance of winning.

But the strength Luo Tian had displayed in the previous battle changed the Grand Elder’s and Vice President Long’s views on this one.

Qi Yuntian had already broken through to the Peak of the Earth Element Realm Second Layer. While he was certainly powerful, he had lost to Luo Tian before, and Luo Tian was well aware of the flaw in his Cultivation Technique.

Without these two factors, Luo Tian’s chances of winning would have been only twenty or thirty percent.

Suddenly.

On the Martial Arts Arena, two terrifyingly powerful spiritual presences erupted, shaking the entire area.

One was icy and boundless, its sharpness piercing the heavens. The other eclipsed the sun, defying the very heavens and earth!

The entire Martial Arts Arena and its Array Barrier trembled slightly.

"Wuji Palm!"

"Sword Rolling Residual Clouds!"

Almost simultaneously, Luo Tian and Qi Yuntian unleashed their ultimate attacks!

Both knew the other’s capabilities. Neither held back, unleashing their full power from the start!

The brilliant, auroral light of the Palm Technique was tyrannical and overbearing, while the frigid, raging Sword Qi Tornado was immense and sharp.

BOOM!

The two forces collided in an instant, making the very air tremble.

Blinding light and roiling shockwaves surged outward, blurring the two figures on the Martial Arts Arena.

"Your strength has improved quite a bit!"

Luo Tian’s body took on a crystalline, silver sheen. He swung his sword, sending out streams of brilliant, icy Sword Light—swift, sharp, and gracefully deadly—assaulting Qi Yuntian from all sides!

"Your strength has improved even more!"

Qi Yuntian remained expressionless, but his gaze was electrified, revealing an intense will to fight!

He struck out with his palm, and a brilliant, tyrannical aurora surged forth with the force of an avalanche, pulverizing everything in sight!

SWISH! SWISH!

Qi Yuntian’s figure shot out, weaving through the air to dodge the Sword Light assailing him from the sides and behind.

Luo Tian also used the Wind Manipulation Technique to evade Qi Yuntian’s frontal assault.

The Cultivation Technique Qi Yuntian practiced was exceptional, making his Palm Technique devastatingly powerful.

When he was at the Earth Element Realm Second Layer, he was able to contend with the Sea Hunter Race prodigy Wu Ye. Now that his Cultivation had reached the Peak of the Second Layer, he was even more terrifying!

Facing his Palm Technique, Luo Tian wasn’t arrogant enough to try and tank it with his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body.

’To defeat him, I can either overwhelm him with superior force or push him to unleash his full power...’

Luo Tian’s mind was clear.

’The first option is difficult. Before he met me, Qi Yuntian had never been defeated. No one in his generation could overwhelm him with force.’

’Qi Yuntian knows I’ll target the flaw in his Cultivation Technique, so he won’t unleash his full power lightly.’

’In other words, he has to end the battle and claim victory either right before or right after he unleashes his full power!’

"Wuji Heaven-Turning Palm!"

A layer of white radiance burst from Qi Yuntian’s body. His Spiritual Will was astounding, making him seem like a War God as he struck out repeatedly with both palms!

Massive, brilliant palm imprints tore through the air, each like a radiant white sun, crushing down on Luo Tian with an overwhelming presence.

"Such terrifying Palm Force!"

The spectating disciples behind Luo Tian were shaken to their core, feeling as if they were watching a meteor shower rain down to destroy the world.

The intent contained within each of Qi Yuntian’s palms was incredibly profound and powerful, even reaching the level of the Middle Tier Earth Element Realm.

An ordinary cultivator at the Earth Element Realm First Layer might endure a few palms, but their spirit would be crushed, and they would lose all will to fight!

But Luo Tian’s Spiritual Will was as solid as a rock, completely unmoved!

"Furious Sword Torrential Rain!"

Thousands of frigid, sharp streams of Sword Qi materialized in the air, emitting a magnificent and boundless presence that seemed to alter the very weather.

The fierce, dense swordsmanship was like a cataclysmic blizzard, and in terms of its spiritual impact, it was a cut above Qi Yuntian’s.

This was the advantage of having a Sword Intent Prototype, a reflection of his own powerful Spiritual Will.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

On the Martial Arts Arena, a continuous barrage of explosions rang out.

Even with the protection of the Barrier Array, the hearts of the spectators pounded in their chests!

Many Yunxiao Sect disciples found their spiritual consciousnesses battered by the clash of the two terrifying forces and were struggling to endure.

If not for the isolating Array, they likely would have had to retreat several hundred meters just to watch safely!

’So strong! Is this his current combat strength?’

Qiao Hai’s mind reeled in shock.

He was already at the Peak of the Earth Element Realm First Layer, but after witnessing this, he no longer had the courage to even think of competing with Luo Tian. The gap between them was simply too vast!

On the Martial Arts Arena.

Luo Tian’s Furious Sword Torrential Rain and Qi Yuntian’s Wuji Heaven-Turning Palm clashed relentlessly!

Ten exchanges... twenty exchanges... thirty exchanges!

Qi Yuntian increased his power output from seventy to eighty percent!

Suddenly, the relentless, raging torrent of icy swords pushed forward several meters, forcing Qi Yuntian onto the defensive.

"Luo Tian’s True Intent and Spiritual Will are both stronger than Qi Yuntian’s. After so many continuous exchanges, Qi Yuntian’s Spiritual Will has been under constant assault and is finally starting to waver!"

A faint smile appeared on the Grand Elder’s face.

In this situation, Qi Yuntian had to either increase his power further or play his trump card!

VMMM!

A sacred, dazzling, platinum-gold radiance shone from Qi Yuntian’s back.

A vast, white phantom of light materialized above his head. Within it, an illusionary figure wearing Golden Battle Armor appeared, like a War God from Ancient Times, emanating a boundless, majestic will to fight!

Qi Yuntian’s Spiritual Will instantly surged, and the power of his attacks was amplified!

His supremely tyrannical palm techniques grew a size larger and emanated an even vaster intent. He instantly reversed his disadvantage and began pressing down on Luo Tian!

"It’s a Celestial Tier Martial Vein!"

"What a terrifying Martial Vein! Qi Yuntian’s combat strength just increased by forty to fifty percent!"

The Yunxiao Sect executives were alarmed and worried.

"Unleash!"

Luo Tian let out a low shout, and his Nether Dragon Divine Vein erupted with its full power!

A vortex of piercing, dark Cold Mist erupted, accompanied by a draconic roar that seemed to echo from an abyss.

The surrounding temperature plummeted. Luo Tian’s Swordsmanship was amplified, becoming even more bone-chillingly cold.

"Hm?"

Qi Yuntian’s brow furrowed. His entire body felt stiff with a biting cold!

’We activated our Martial Veins at the same time, yet I didn’t gain an advantage? My condition is even starting to decline!’

Vice President Long and the executives from the other four Major Sects also noticed this.

"Just what Tier is Luo Tian’s Martial Vein?"

"From the looks of it, his Martial Vein seems to be a support and control type, while Qi Yuntian’s directly boosts combat strength. How could he fail to gain an advantage?"

If Luo Tian’s Martial Vein was also one that directly boosted combat strength, just how powerful would he be?

On the Martial Arts Arena.

The battle intensified.

"How exhilarating!"

Luo Tian laughed heartily.

His battle with Qi Yuntian at the Celestial Pride Conference had been a nerve-wracking affair. He had to be cautious with every move, knowing the slightest misstep would mean defeat.

Today’s battle, however, was thoroughly satisfying.

Amidst the exchange with Qi Yuntian, Luo Tian was also consolidating the Cultivation he had just broken through to.

"That kid’s Martial Vein is something else!"

Vice President Long’s gaze darkened.

Qi Yuntian’s Martial Vein was exceptional even among Celestial Tier Martial Veins. It provided a massive boost to his combat strength, and its effect would grow stronger over time!

But as time went on, the corrosive effect of Luo Tian’s Martial Vein on his opponent also grew more severe.

The effects produced by the two seemed roughly equal.

However, Qi Yuntian’s Martial Vein had a significant side effect: activating it for too long would severely overdraw his Spiritual Will.

In a severe case, he could even be driven mad after a single battle.

Luo Tian’s Nether Dragon Divine Vein had no such severe side effect and could be sustained for much longer.

CRASH! BOOM!

The battle on the Martial Arts Arena grew even more intense as a chaotic storm of explosions swept across it.

Neither Luo Tian nor Qi Yuntian was spared. Even as they dodged, they never ceased their attacks!

At one point, both erupted simultaneously and clashed head-on.

The two vast powers collided and then exploded outward.

PSSSH!

Qi Yuntian stumbled back dozens of steps. The aftershock battered him, making his blood roil, and left two frosty wounds on his body.

Luo Tian was also hit by the aftershock, yet he didn’t retreat a single step, tanking the blow directly. His crystalline silver body was cold and hard, and the impact left only a few shallow marks on its surface.

"Sword Wind Howl!"

Luo Tian was a step faster, launching another attack.

A gale of frigid, piercing Sword Qi, shimmering with an icy brilliance, let out a furious roar that shook the very soul!

This strike, combined with the full power of the Nether Dragon Divine Vein, was terrifyingly powerful. The storm of Sword Qi was bone-chillingly cold!

"Wuji Battle Heaven!"

Sensing the danger, Qi Yuntian didn’t dare to be careless. A brilliant light bloomed in his eyes as he unleashed a supremely powerful aura that shook the area.

BOOM!

An aurora that illuminated everything, like a falling star, erupted with a grand and vast presence that seemed to pierce through heaven and earth!

Because he had countered in a rush, the power of Qi Yuntian’s palm strike was lacking!

Luo Tian’s Swordsmanship held the advantage. It quickly dismantled Qi Yuntian’s Palm Technique, shattering it to pieces before surging toward Qi Yuntian himself!

Qi Yuntian’s brow furrowed!

Luo Tian’s combat strength had surpassed his predictions!

If he couldn’t turn the tables, he would likely be suppressed by Luo Tian until his eventual defeat!

Suddenly, a look of release crossed Qi Yuntian’s face.

’The battle has come this far. What am I still hesitating for? What am I afraid of? This isn’t my style!’

’I’ll go all out and settle this once and for all!’

"Wuji Under Heaven!"

Qi Yuntian’s gaze turned resolute, and his eyes shone with a brilliant, divine light!

On the palm he slowly raised, the light intensified, and his aura grew ever more terrifying!

BOOM!

A colossal Palm Light that stunned all onlookers, like a brilliant aurora piercing the heavens, erupted with a magnificent, vast presence, spanning the entire Martial Arts Arena!

’So he’s finally unleashed his full power?’

The blood in Luo Tian’s body began to boil.

Back at the Celestial Pride Conference, he would have been extremely cautious, only thinking about how to survive this!

But now, he wanted to face Qi Yuntian at his absolute strongest and decide the victor!

"Nine Heavens Seventh Technique, Sword Sea Waves!"

The Ice Trace Sword in Luo Tian’s hand became a blur. A surging tide of dark, cold Sword Qi stacked into a colossal wave that soared into the sky, like an entire ocean of swords charging forward!

「The next moment.」

The two terrifying forces collided, sending out a distorted shockwave of destruction.

CRACK! KABOOM!

Cracks suddenly appeared on the Array Barrier surrounding the Martial Arts Arena.

"Not good!"

The expressions of the Yunxiao Sect’s Three Great Elders changed instantly. They threw up a True Essence Wall to protect some of the spectating disciples.

Elder Bai Mei of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect also shielded Xia Bingyue behind him.

The high-ranking members of the Four Major Sects and the Celestial Ring Alliance all rose to their feet, their gazes and Spiritual Senses probing the center of the Martial Arts Arena.