Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 628 - 626: Pride!

SWISH, SWISH, SWISH, SWISH...

Two swords clashed, sparks flying. Liu Ling’s sword momentum was broken, and He Qin’s figure drifted back over ten meters before she steadied herself.

From the spectator seats, a round of cheering erupted.

"This He Qin is only at the first level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, yet she could block Liu Ling’s Flying Swallow Swordsmanship. How formidable is her Sword Intent?"

Wu Tong, the ’Overturning River Python’, watched the two figures engaged in a fierce battle on the stage with a somewhat gloomy expression. He had lost to Liu Ling during the summit in the Six Southern Domains. If He Qin defeated Liu Ling now, it would imply that he, too, was inferior to He Qin.

A cold smile played on Yi Wuxue’s lips. "A swordsman who has comprehended Sword Intent is like a sharpened sword. It’s not impossible for them to challenge those of higher levels."

As he spoke, Yi Wuxue glanced at Ye Siyi out of the corner of his eye. During the last summit, he had lost to Ye Siyi’s Sword Intent.

Snorting coldly, Yi Wuxue continued, "However, a Martial Artist’s strength isn’t solely determined by what they comprehend. Besides, He Qin’s Sword Intent is still rudimentary. It might allow her to hold on for a while longer, but she is no match for Liu Ling."

Wu Tong laughed. "Wise words, Senior Brother."

Most people in the plaza shared Yi Wuxue’s view, thinking He Qin stood no chance against Liu Ling.

"He Qin surprisingly managed to hold her own against Liu Ling. The power of Sword Intent truly cannot be underestimated."

"Of course. Why else would swordsmen rack their brains to comprehend Sword Intent?"

"A pity that He Qin’s cultivation is a little too weak. Otherwise, this life-and-death duel would have seen two of the top ten young masters defeated."

Xu Zhan had conceded voluntarily. So far, Luo Feng was the only one who had defeated one of the top ten young masters.

Luo Feng saw it differently from others. His powerful Soul Power allowed him to perceive details that others missed.

Contrary to appearances, the fight between He Qin and Liu Ling was not going in Liu Ling’s favor. Despite their prolonged duel, He Qin had remained calm, while Liu Ling appeared slightly rushed with her movements. The two would be locked in a stalemate for quite a while. The final victory would depend on who seized the opportunity more effectively.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG...

On the martial stage, two graceful figures danced, their swords intertwined. Sharp Sword Qi crisscrossed and rampaged around them. The entire martial stage was completely scarred, covered in terrifying sword marks.

"Impressive. But I won’t lose to you. Take this!"

Liu Ling looked at He Qin with admiration. Her twin swords danced left and right like agile swallows, ceaselessly attacking He Qin. Her entire figure was enshrouded in a surge of green Sword Qi.

He Qin remained cool and unperturbed. With a flick of her sword’s edge, Sword Qi imbued with wind and snow surged forth like raging waves. Dazzling Sword Qi rampaged, and an icy chill permeated the air.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG...

In an instant, their two figures intertwined again.

The entire platform was filled with rampaging Sword Qi. Their figures were shrouded by it, making their movements indiscernible to the naked eye. The sheer intensity of their clash even tore a gap in the clouds above.

Beneath the stage, everyone widened their eyes in astonishment.

"This is amazing! I can’t even make out their moves," someone blurted out.

"This is a real duel between swordsmen. I never would have thought the ’Heavenly Fragrant Woman’, He Qin, could withstand Liu Ling for so long."

"I wonder who will last until the end."

Excluding the initial clash, people could hardly make out any moves in He Qin and Liu Ling’s intense duel. They could only see stormy Sword Qi that resembled snowflakes raging across the platform, the sharp aura growing stronger wave after wave. The occasional stray Sword Qi that escaped the platform would rip apart the air, creating horrifying gashes that were shocking to behold.

One hundred exchanges.

Three hundred exchanges.

Four hundred exchanges!

Six hundred exchanges!

Despite six hundred exchanges, the fight had yet to produce a victor. He Qin’s Sword Intent was frighteningly sharp, while Liu Ling’s Flying Swallow Swordsmanship was fluid and ever-changing. Their swordsmanship styles each had their strengths, and neither could gain the upper hand.

Within Sky Feather Square, apart from the sound of their clashing swords, there were no other sounds.

At that moment, no one considered He Qin’s defeat a certainty. The battle thus far had shown that cultivation and martial arts were no longer the deciding factors. It was all down to endurance and opportunity. Both He Qin and Liu Ling were waiting for the other to reveal a weakness.

At some point, the wind and snow generated by the Sword Qi on the martial stage turned into a dazzling array of colors.

To the west, a blood-red sunset sank below the mountain ranges. Its magnificent glow enveloped Sky Feather Square, making the two graceful figures dueling on the platform appear even more captivating.

"Eight hundred exchanges!"

A young swordsman, looking at the entangled Sword Qi on the martial platform, couldn’t help exclaiming, awe, admiration, and shock clearly written on his face.

Others around him nodded in agreement.

The duel had shown no signs of subsiding in intensity; in fact, it had only become more heated. The impact of their every clash set the entire Sky Feather Square trembling.

Observing the two figures locked in battle on the platform, Luo Feng furrowed his brow.

This contest would likely drag on for at least fifteen hundred exchanges to produce a clear victor. For He Qin, this is highly unfavorable. The longer the duel lasts, the more the gap in their cultivation levels will become apparent. Moreover, this intense duel puts both of them in imminent danger.

SWISH!

Just as Luo Feng was worrying about He Qin’s safety, a giant surge of azure Qi Force abruptly descended onto the stage.

The timing of the azure Qi Force was perfect, landing exactly between He Qin and Liu Ling, effortlessly shattering the raging Sword Qi between them.

"Both of you, please stop."

The steward in green had appeared on the stage at some point, standing between He Qin and Liu Ling. He spoke, "The sky has darkened. The six elders of the Golden Palace have deliberated and judged your match a draw. Both of you will advance to the finals."

"Advancing together!"

Upon hearing the green-clothed steward’s words, an uproar went through Sky Feather Square.

With this, there would be eleven people competing in the finals, vying for the Martial Champion Rankings. This was something that had never happened before.

However, people were not surprised. Everyone had witnessed the strength of these two; their joint advancement was widely expected.

CLANG!

Liu Ling flicked her wrist, her twin swords tracing two beautiful sword flourishes before she accurately sheathed them.

"He Qin, it seems impossible for us to decide a winner today."

He Qin sheathed her Cold Snow Sword and said calmly, "I will definitely beat you tomorrow."

Liu Ling let out a captivating giggle. "Alright! I haven’t had my fill in today’s battle either. Let’s settle it tomorrow!"

He Qin said no more and returned to her spot.

"He Qin, congratulations on advancing to the finals! Now, all three of us can make it onto the Martial Champion Rankings!"

Bing Ruolan grabbed He Qin’s hand, her small face beaming with an excited smile. Over this period, the two had become friends.

He Qin nodded slightly, her gaze falling on Luo Feng beside her.

"Congratulations, that was an excellent duel," Luo Feng said with a smile.

The entire Sky Feather Square was bustling with conversation.

As the last remnants of the sunset faded, the green-clothed steward stepped to the edge of the martial platform and announced loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, the life-and-death duels have concluded successfully. Congratulations to the eleven students who have advanced to the finals. The final match will be held tomorrow, and the top ten students will be listed in the Martial Champion Rankings. Moreover, they will be eligible to cultivate in the core formation of Sky Mountain. Now, let me announce the names of those who have successfully advanced..."

"Xiushui Domain, Jade Sword School: Ye Siyi, Liu Changfeng, Liu Ling!"

"Black Cloud Domain, Chongyue School: Yi Wuxue, Xie Xuantong."

...

"Flowing Cloud Region, Tianlan School: He Qin. Purple Sun School: Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan..."

In the vast Sky Feather Square, there was complete silence. Only the names called out by the green-clothed steward echoed in the plaza, lingering for a long time.

All eyes were on the eleven students who had advanced, including Luo Feng. Their gazes were filled with awe, admiration, and appreciation.

Ten of these eleven would be eligible for the Martial Champion Rankings tomorrow and would receive the highest honor from the major academies in the Six Southern Domains.

"Father, Second Brother succeeded!"

Luo Xiao clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly with excitement.

Luotian laughed heartily. "I heard! Feng Er has successfully advanced to the finals and is sure to make it onto the Martial Champion Rankings! Our Luo Family has also produced a Martial Champion! He is the pride of our Luo Family!"

Yang Qing lightly pursed her red lips, her eyes slightly red as she gazed at the tall, imposing young man standing in the square. Although she had been prepared for this moment, its arrival still excited her so much that it felt like a dream.

After announcing the list of those who advanced, the green-clothed steward quickly declared the end of the life-or-death duels. He announced the time for tomorrow’s finals and then turned to leave.

Everyone returned to the peaks of Five Elements Mountain, preparing to head back to Skyridge Plaza.

Many gazes still lingered on the ten martial platforms in the square, seemingly reminiscing about the exciting duels from earlier.

"It was definitely worth the trip to see the Twelve Golden Palaces’ assessment."

"That’s right. I never thought this assessment would have such a surprising outcome, with the Flowing Cloud Region producing three Martial Artists in the Spiritual Rotation Realm. Bing Ruolan, He Qin, Luo Feng—the strength of these three is not to be taken lightly."

"Yes, the swordsmanship duel between He Qin and Liu Ling was truly breathtaking! It’s a pity they couldn’t decide a winner. I wonder who would have won if they had continued."

"They each have their strengths. We would only know if they fought to the end. What I regret is not getting to see Luo Feng in action."

"Indeed, I still can’t understand how ’Blood Hand’ Xu Zhan, such an arrogant person, would concede voluntarily."

"’Blood Hand’ Xu Zhan is arrogant, but Luo Feng is no less so. Don’t forget he made a life-and-death pact with Yi Tian, a master from the New Dragon List. In comparison, Xu Zhan is nothing."

"That’s true."

"Who do you think will replace Ling Qingwu tomorrow and have their name written at the top of the Martial Champion Rankings?"

"Probably Ye Siyi. Her movement technique is too powerful. Every time she comes on stage, I haven’t even seen her moves clearly before she’s already won."

"Ye Siyi is indeed powerful, but Yi Wuxue from Chongyue School is also extraordinary. So far, both of them have defeated their opponents with a single move."

"And you have to include Luo Feng..."

"With eleven people advancing, one will surely be eliminated. I wonder who it will be."

"Don’t say any more, or I won’t be able to sleep tonight..."

Everyone was excitedly discussing and speculating about the results of tomorrow’s finals.

When Luo Feng returned to the mountain peak, he was immediately greeted by fervent gazes.

"Senior Brother Luo Feng, congratulations."

"Senior Sister Bing Ruolan, congratulations on advancing..."

People from the four major schools crowded around, congratulating Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan, and He Qin, their faces filled with admiration.

Having advanced to the finals, Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan, and He Qin, barring any surprises, would surely be listed on the Martial Champion Rankings. This was the dream of all academy students!