The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 1166: Elder Tian Yi

"Heh. Who among you still wishes to challenge me? Swords and blades have no eyes!"

Ling Feng's gaze swept across the hall, cold and unyielding. The Inner Sea geniuses who had once been so aggressive now stepped back one after another. The arrogance they had displayed earlier vanished without a trace.

Murong Zining stared at Jian Chen's lifeless body, murderous intent filling her eyes. The man she had planned to recruit was slain right in front of her.

At that moment, Jian Chen's father arrived.

"Who killed my son?"

Jian Chen's soul lamp had gone out the instant he died.

Sensing the direction of his son's death, Jian Chen's father, Jian Xibai, rushed over.

His strength was terrifying. The aura he released made everyone tremble.

Many among the crowd secretly rejoiced, certain that the arrogant Ling Feng who had humiliated them earlier was surely doomed now.

"I only killed a useless fool," Ling Feng said. "If you want to avenge him, I can send you to join him."

He smiled proudly, showing no trace of fear.

"You wretch, you seek death!"

Jian Xibai's killing intent surged. He was just about to strike when a calm yet commanding voice rang out.

"Jian Xibai, stand down."

It was Elder Tian Yi, the Grand Elder who stood beside the Illusion Heart Queen.

With a single sentence, he forced Jian Xibai to retreat. Even someone of Jian Xibai's strength and status dared not defy him.

"Much appreciated."

Ling Feng gave a relaxed shrug and cupped his hands in a respectful fist-and-palm salute. Even without Elder Tian Yi's intervention, he was confident he could handle Jian Xibai, though it would have been troublesome.

"Hahaha, young friend, you are truly impressive. Her Majesty the Illusion Heart Queen holds you in high regard. If you can claim first place in the test two days from now, perhaps the Queen herself will permit you to use the Hourglass of Time three times."

Elder Tian Yi's tone carried open warmth. His expression was even friendlier than when he had spoken to Murong Zining earlier. As he finished speaking, a subtle meaning flickered in his eyes.

"Ugh..."

Ling Feng was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood. It seemed the Illusion Heart Queen already knew he had crossed the Soul-Locking Bridge within a single breath. Combined with his display of the Supreme Black Diamond Card, it was no wonder she wished to win him over, and had even sent Elder Tian Yi to express goodwill.

"Elder Tian Yi flatters me. To receive Her Majesty's favor is already an honor I do not deserve," Ling Feng said calmly, offering another respectful salute.

Elder Tian Yi laughed heartily. "Young friend, excessive modesty is just another form of pride. To cross the Soul-Locking Bridge in one breath is an achievement worthy of Her Majesty's attention. Even I needed at least five breaths to pass it. Your spiritual consciousness is likely not inferior to mine!"

"It was only luck," Ling Feng replied with an easy smile, his expression utterly composed, as if the feat were nothing at all.

"Very well. I must return to report to the Illusion Heart Queen. I look forward to seeing you in Heaven's Illusion Palace two days from now."

"Of course."

Ling Feng nodded and watched the elder leave. A faint curve appeared on his lips. It seemed he had indeed made a favorable impression on the Illusion Heart Queen.

Hearing the exchange between the two, the Inner Sea geniuses began whispering among themselves.

"What? So he's the one who crossed the Soul-Locking Bridge in a single breath?"

"No way! Jian Chen was a fraud all along?"

"Uh... no wonder this guy's strength is so terrifying!"

The most stunned of all was Murong Zining. Her body trembled as she looked at Ling Feng in disbelief, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.

So the one who crossed the Soul-Locking Bridge in a single breath was not Jian Chen but this unremarkable young man!

For a moment, her mind went blank. Then she looked more closely and realized that Ling Feng, too, wore white robes and carried a sword. He was even younger than Jian Chen.

In an instant, realization struck her like lightning. She finally understood how grave her mistake had been!

The moment she saw Jian Chen, she had assumed he was the prodigious swordsman who crossed the Soul-Locking Bridge in one breath, and she had completely ignored Ling Feng because of his weaker cultivation.

But the truth was that Ling Feng was the true genius!

Murong Zining almost wanted to slap herself. She had ignored a peerless talent like Ling Feng and chosen instead to curry favor with a worthless fool.

Worse still, she had already offended Ling Feng!