Chapter 570 - 578: Ling Tianyu Subdued

Fang Huatong stepped forward, took a deep breath, and announced loudly, "Alright. In this trial, Youu Junlian has taken first place, Yanm Fang second, Meng Fei third, and Zhao Dan’Er fourth. Since the day is not yet over, let’s conclude the final trial."

Hearing Fang Huatong’s announcement, the crowd erupted into an uproar.

"Youu Junlian has already placed first in two consecutive trials. As long as she doesn’t come in last in the final one, she’ll be the Sect Leader Candidate!"

"With Wen Qingye’s strength, I think it’ll be difficult for him to defeat a veteran expert like the Xiaoxiang Wanderer. And Jiechen is rumored to have reached the Life and Death Realm Third Layer Heaven long ago, so I don’t think there’s a chance there either. That only leaves Ling Tianyu..."

"In a head-on clash, I think Wen Qingye’s youth is a disadvantage. He’s guaranteed to lose if he doesn’t use a Secret Technique. In that case, the final outcome will be decided by a match between the Xiaoxiang Wanderer, Duan Chi, and Ling Tianyu."

.....

Fang Huatong looked at Youu Junlian and said slowly, "This final trial, by tradition, is a test of strength. You’ve already taken the top spot twice today. As long as you defeat any one of these three, the matter will be settled. Of course, the use of Secret Techniques is forbidden."

Although Fang Huatong’s words were addressed to Youu Junlian, they were really for Wen Qingye’s ears, telling him that Secret Techniques were forbidden in today’s match.

Youu Junlian gave a firm nod, knowing everything hinged on this. She turned to Wen Qingye beside her and said solemnly, "I’m counting on you for this, Junior Brother Wen."

"Alright, leave everything to me," Wen Qingye said with a nod.

’With my current strength, it’s impossible to defeat Jiechen. Only the Xiaoxiang Wanderer and Ling Tianyu are opponents I have a fighting chance against. As long as I defeat either one of them, I can help Youu Junlian become the Sect Leader Candidate.’

’Both of them are at the Life and Death Realm Second Layer. For me to defeat them with my current cultivation will be incredibly difficult, but I have no choice but to give it my all.’

Wen Qingye slowly rose to his feet and walked forward, step by step. His powerful, heroic voice echoed throughout the hall.

"I’ll take this fight!"

Jiechen watched Wen Qingye, his expression unchanging as he pressed his palms together. He knew that if he were to fight, Wen Qingye would be no match for him, but he no longer had any intention of stepping forward.

Duan Chi looked at Zhao Dan’Er and said, "Whether I fight or not, the position of Sect Leader can never be yours..."

Zhao Dan’Er looked at Duan Chi and smiled faintly. "I know, Brother Chi. I’ve already let go of that ambition."

Ling Tianyu slowly rose to his feet, his eyes fixed on Wen Qingye, his lips parting.

"Wen Qingye, I, Ling Tianyu of Taiyi Pavilion, challenge you!"

His voice was resonant and powerful.

As all eyes fell upon him, Ling Tianyu stepped forward to face Wen Qingye. Then, he turned to Fang Huatong and asked, "Sect Leader Fang, might we move to a different location?"

"Alright!"

Fang Huatong nodded. She knew that both of them were peerless geniuses, and their battle was bound to be extremely intense. This great hall was truly no place for them to fight.

’So it’s you in the end,’ Wen Qingye thought, looking at Ling Tianyu.

Fang Huatong then made the arrangements, and within moments, everyone had moved outside the Celestial Jade Hall.

Wen Qingye stood atop a mountain peak, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed at Ling Tianyu before him. A fierce wind swept by, sending strands of his hair swirling and dancing in the breeze.

Duan Chi looked up at the two figures in the sky and said slowly, "Both of them are top-tier geniuses. Ling Tianyu is ranked fourth among the Seven Dignitaries, a rank even higher than Zhuo Xiangqun’s. There’s a reason for that. I think it will be incredibly difficult for Wen Qingye to defeat him this time."

Zhao Dan’Er, standing beside him, added slowly, "Yes. Wen Qingye only managed to kill Zhuo Xiangqun because he used a Secret Technique. Against Ling Tianyu, I’d say he’s almost certain to lose."

The Great Elder of the Jade Maiden Sect stared unblinkingly at the two youths, her lips parted as she whispered, "Huatong, tell me... if we were to side with Taiyi Pavilion, would we be right, or would we be wrong?"

Fang Huatong replied, "I know you’re thinking of the Jade Maiden Sect’s long-term future, Great Elder, and I understand. But it’s pointless to discuss right and wrong now. Let’s just watch and see the outcome."

The Jade Maiden Sect’s Great Elder nodded and said no more.

All the disciples and Elders of the Jade Maiden Sect fixed their gazes on the two in the sky. It was as if, in that moment, the future of the Jade Maiden Sect rested in their hands.

If Wen Qingye won, the Celestial Profound Sect would claim victory. If Ling Tianyu won, Taiyi Pavilion would be victorious.

Ling Tianyu looked at Wen Qingye and smiled. "Wen Qingye, in only half a year, you’ve let the world know of your supreme talent. Truly impressive. Not only that, but your song amazed me as well. If you were part of Taiyi Pavilion, I would genuinely love to share a drink and converse with a peerless prodigy like yourself."

"What a shame."

A slight smile touched Wen Qingye’s lips, and he chuckled softly.

Ling Tianyu looked at Wen Qingye, shook his head, and sighed inwardly. ’A heaven-defying genius like this... if his meridians weren’t a problem, and if he were given more time to grow, what would the landscape of the entire Eastern Profound Domain look like?’

Even Ling Tianyu had to admit he was thoroughly impressed by Wen Qingye’s bearing and charisma.

"We stand on different sides, Wen Qingye. Today, regardless of victory or defeat, life or death, I will have no regrets."

As Ling Tianyu finished speaking, he abruptly drew his sword. A shimmering light rippled from the blade, and a chill went through the hearts of all who watched.

He slashed out with his sword!

Instantly, a visible current of cold erupted like a shockwave. The ambient temperature plummeted as massive plumes of white vapor condensed high in the air. A thick layer of ice spread out in an instant, a rushing torrent of frigid energy that surged forth to engulf Wen Qingye.

HUM!

Wen Qingye abruptly drew his heavy sword, Bladeless. A five-colored radiance shimmered across his body, and his explosive aura instantly dispersed the surrounding mist.

That one strike, carrying the force of ninety thousand jin, shattered the very air before it. An indescribably terrifying power swept out, slamming head-on into the advancing torrent of ice.

BANG!

The two attacks collided savagely, and the entire sea of clouds trembled violently. Wen Qingye was driven back, stepping through the void again and again, each footfall producing a strange booming sound—a Qi Burst.

After retreating several steps, a cold glint surfaced in Wen Qingye’s eyes. He clenched his left hand into a fist and slammed it into the glacial torrent.

CRACK!

Cracks visible to the naked eye spread rapidly from beneath Wen Qingye’s fist. In just a few breaths, they spiderwebbed across the massive, frozen torrent. With a final, deafening BOOM, the glacial current—powerful enough to engulf a Life and Death Realm First Layer Martial Artist—shattered violently, exploding into a sky full of swirling ice shards.