King of Ten Thousand Years

"I... lost?"

Celestial Evil Sword’s dim pupils revealed a look of bewilderment.

"Luo Tian wins!"

The judge only made the announcement after a few breaths.

A third of the Celestial Fate Qi in Celestial Evil Sword’s Genius Order drifted out.

The surrounding spectator area completely erupted.

"Celestial Evil Sword lost!"

"The title of the strongest young Sword Cultivator has changed hands!"

"Unbelievable! Who would have thought? Luo Tian, this dark horse, is darker than anyone could have imagined, defeating the second-ranked on the Spirit List!"

Sounds of shock and amazement echoed endlessly.

When Luo Tian fought the Extreme Ice Fairy to a draw before, some said he was just lucky and that the Extreme Ice Fairy had been too careless.

When Luo Tian defeated Shangguan Su, others said that Luo Tian just happened to have a strong Spiritual Defense that countered Shangguan Su’s greatest strength.

No one truly felt that Luo Tian deserved the honor of being called a celestial pride.

There were always dissenters, and the controversy was immense.

But in this battle, Luo Tian’s performance stunned the entire audience. The clash of Sword Daos was tense and thrilling, enough to make one’s blood boil, leaving everyone speechless!

An indisputable victory!

A victory that earned everyone’s heartfelt admiration!

"How could Celestial Evil Sword lose?"

The Extreme Ice Fairy’s face was blank; she couldn’t quite wrap her head around it.

Celestial Evil Sword was so powerful, his Swordsmanship so terrifyingly peerless, that even she would have struggled to withstand it.

And yet, Celestial Evil Sword had lost to Luo Tian.

’Doesn’t this indirectly prove that I’m no match for Luo Tian either?’

"Impossible!"

The Extreme Ice Fairy quickly denied it.

"Junior Luo, you won!"

As he watched Luo Tian step down from the stage, Ye Feng finally reacted, a mix of surprise and a hint of desolation in his expression.

He, the number one Core Disciple and a celestial pride of the Eastern Domain, had lost to Celestial Evil Sword.

But Luo Tian had won.

Beside him, Qiao Hai’s jaw hung open, his gaze slightly dazed. He was utterly speechless.

"PHEW!"

Luo Tian let out a long breath and sat down cross-legged.

The battle with Celestial Evil Sword had seemed brief, but it was the most exhausting one Luo Tian had ever fought.

He had gone all out from the very beginning, using every technique at his disposal in a fierce clash with Celestial Evil Sword.

Only Luo Tian and Celestial Evil Sword knew how perilous that fight had been. The slightest misstep, and he might have been the one to lose.

’The second-ranked on the Spirit List has already fallen to me. Next, there is only... the King of the Celestial Pride, Qi Yuntian!’

Luo Tian looked toward Qi Yuntian, feeling uncertain.

In the last battle, he had used all his techniques and had only narrowly defeated Celestial Evil Sword.

"Song Luyao, Chai Yuxing!"

The judge announced the next match.

Luo Tian’s victory pushed the excitement of the Celestial Pride Conference to its peak.

The competition for the title of King of the Celestial Pride was growing fiercer and more unpredictable.

The ranking matches continued according to the rules!

A few battles later.

Suddenly, off the Martial Arts Arena, an evil and domineering Sword Momentum erupted from Celestial Evil Sword’s body!

"What’s going on?"

"Celestial Evil Sword’s Sword Intent... it seems to have gotten stronger!"

The crowd’s attention was drawn to him, their surprise evident!

When Celestial Evil Sword was defeated by Luo Tian, his figure was desolate and his gaze was blank. Many had even assumed that he would be unable to recover from such a blow.

But who would have expected that he would rise from the ashes, reaffirming his conviction and forging an even stronger Sword Dao Will!

Furthermore, thanks to his battle with Luo Tian, his Sword Intent had naturally ascended to a new level!

Celestial Evil Sword had become even stronger!

Luo Tian was not surprised by this.

He himself had used the Celestial Pride Conference to temper and improve himself, making breakthroughs in all aspects.

Others could do the same!

The audience saw this all unfold.

Luo Tian defeated the second-ranked on the Spirit List, earning the right to fight Qi Yuntian.

Celestial Evil Sword, though he had lost a round to Luo Tian, had risen from the ashes and become even more powerful!

Qi Yuntian, an undefeated legend, the previous King of the Celestial Pride!

In this Celestial Pride Conference, who would ultimately claim the prize?

"Luo Tian, Extreme Ice Fairy!"

After some time, it was Luo Tian’s turn again!

"Luo... Tian!"

The Extreme Ice Fairy’s icy and solemn gaze fixed upon him.

Before, she had eagerly anticipated meeting Luo Tian again, but now, her heart was heavy with complex emotions.

’Luo Tian defeated Celestial Evil Sword... am I still his match?’

"Extreme Ice Fairy, didn’t you want to redeem yourself? Here’s your chance!"

Luo Tian said with a relaxed smile.

But in the Extreme Ice Fairy’s eyes, this was pure mockery and ridicule!

"You’re right. The chance is here, and I will win this battle!"

Flames of anger ignited in the Extreme Ice Fairy’s heart, her expression turning severe!

’Even though Luo Tian defeated Celestial Evil Sword, it doesn’t mean I will lose!’

’Many factors can influence the outcome of a match. For example, Luo Tian’s strong Spiritual Defense countered Shangguan Su.’

’When facing Celestial Evil Sword, his Sword Intent Prototype was able to see through the flaws in the Swordsmanship, which was also a form of counter!’

"Celestial Jade Hand!"

The Extreme Ice Fairy unleashed her full power. A frigid tide roiled behind her, condensing into ten Ice Crystal Jade Hands that pushed forward.

Luo Tian had never underestimated any of the five great celestial prides.

Activating the Celestial Sword Technique, a silver-white Sword Mark flashed in his eyes as he swung his sword.

BOOM! CRACKLE!

The Sword Light and the Ice Crystal Jade Hands clashed fiercely. Explosions rang out continuously as ice shards flew everywhere.

The two of them were evenly matched.

"Heh heh!"

The Extreme Ice Fairy let out a cold laugh, seeing a glimmer of hope for victory.

Luo Tian’s victory over Celestial Evil Sword was indeed due to a certain counter. His Sword Intent Prototype suppressed Celestial Evil Sword’s Sword Intent, and Luo Tian constantly attacked his opponent’s flaws, seizing control of the situation with exquisite Sword Skills and superhuman observation and reflexes.

These advantages were less effective against the Extreme Ice Fairy.

Therefore, Luo Tian adopted a different strategy.

He first let the Extreme Ice Fairy have her moment of gloating, then immediately used his profound Body Technique to close in on her, fully unleashing his Nether Dragon Divine Vein!

Instantly, the Extreme Ice Fairy’s Martial Vein Power was suppressed by about forty percent.

’My Swordsmanship doesn’t counter her, but my Martial Vein does.’

Luo Tian smiled inwardly.

"Damn it, could this brat have a Celestial Tier Martial Vein?"

The Extreme Ice Fairy’s expression darkened.

She didn’t give up easily and launched a frenzied Attack. As long as she could force Luo Tian back a certain distance, the Martial Vein suppression would weaken.

It was a good idea, but difficult to execute.

Luo Tian had been holding back against the Extreme Ice Fairy all along, his goal being to let her see a glimmer of hope and struggle with all her might.

This way, he could absorb as much of her Martial Vein Power as possible.

When the Extreme Ice Fairy realized this, she flew into a rage out of shame and humiliation.

She had been played by Luo Tian again.

Luo Tian seized the opportunity presented by her emotional turmoil and won with ease.

"Luo Tian wins!"

A stream of Celestial Fate Qi flowed into Luo Tian’s Genius Order.

The Extreme Ice Fairy walked off the stage, dejected.

’Not bad. My Nether Dragon Divine Vein has grown a bit stronger.’

The corners of Luo Tian’s mouth curved up.

Half a day later.

Luo Tian faced another opponent, Qiao Hai.

"Senior Brother Qiao, you’re seventeenth on the Spirit List, ranked higher than me. How about I just surrender?"

Luo Tian said with a smile.

These were the same words Qiao Hai had said to Luo Tian before.

A helpless look appeared on Qiao Hai’s face, but he quickly forced a smile and said, "Junior Luo, please don’t! Your strength is already at the level of a celestial pride. I should be the one to surrender!"

At this point, Luo Tian was guaranteed to make it into the top three of the Celestial Pride Conference. He even had a sliver of hope of competing for the title of King of the Celestial Pride.

If Qiao Hai were to actually let Luo Tian surrender, the entire Yunxiao Sect would likely have no place for him.

"I surrender!"

Qiao Hai sighed and announced.

He too had once yearned to defeat Luo Tian head-on at the Celestial Pride Conference.

This was his first time facing Luo Tian, and yet he had no choice but to surrender. Life was truly unpredictable!

In the stands, the Third Elder’s expression was wooden, his thoughts unreadable.

"Luo Tian wins!"

"Next match: Ju Tianxie, Qi Yuntian!"

The judge announced, his voice trembling with a hint of excitement!

BOOM!

A roar erupted from the crowd, who had long been anticipating this battle!

The higher-ups of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect watched the unfolding battle with solemn expressions.

Although Celestial Evil Sword had lost to Luo Tian, he had been tempered by the experience, his Sword Intent had improved, and his strength had grown!

He still had a chance to fight for first place!

Everything depended on whether the newly empowered Celestial Evil Sword could defeat Qi Yuntian!

"Let me see just how much stronger you’ve become!"

Qi Yuntian’s eyes shone like stars, and he exuded an aura of someone who could look down on the world.

"Seven Kills First Technique, Black Swan Kill!"

A Sword Mark flashed in Celestial Evil Sword’s eyes. A chaotic wave of dark Sword Light chopped forward, swarming out as densely packed as a flock of wild geese.

Qi Yuntian activated his True Palm Skill Intent. A terrifying, vast, and brilliant aurora pierced through, domineering and imperious.

BOOM! BANG!

The titans clashed, but a victor was not yet decided.

Celestial Evil Sword swung his sword again. "Seven Kills Second Technique, Evil Cloud Kill!"

Qi Yuntian’s gaze hardened. True Essence flared from his body in a flash of white light, condensing in his palm as he struck with a world-shaking force.

"Seven Kills Third Technique, Wind-Breaking Kill!"

"Wuji Palm!"

"Seven Kills Fourth Technique, Chaotic Burial Kill!"

"Wuji Heaven-Breaking Palm!"

At this moment, the duel between Qi Yuntian and Celestial Evil Sword was utterly savage. Neither gave the other a moment’s rest, attacking with everything they had.

Whoever showed weakness would lose!

RUMBLE!

In the center of the Martial Arts Arena, the brilliant white aurora and the pitch-black Sword Intent constantly intertwined, forming a tornado of power that shot into the sky.

And this storm showed no signs of weakening or stopping; instead, it grew stronger and stronger!

"What a terrifying battle!"

"The power of this storm... I’m afraid it’s close to an Attack from the Earth Element Realm Second Layer!"

Everyone’s heart trembled with fear.

The people from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the Long Dou Commerce Association also grew worried, afraid that something might happen to Celestial Evil Sword and Qi Yuntian.

The judge watched the battle closely, ready to intervene the moment it spun out of control.

"Seven Kills Fifth Technique, Heaven-Dominating Kill!"

As Celestial Evil Sword’s Swordsmanship stacked one technique upon another, it reached its apex!

That beam of pitch-black sword light, which seemed to pierce heaven and earth, looked as if it would dominate the world and force all to submit!

’What powerful Swordsmanship. If he had comprehended this strike before our battle, he could have turned the tables on me!’

Luo Tian’s expression was solemn, a hint of shock on his face.

Qi Yuntian’s own Cultivation was at the Peak of Earth Element Realm First Layer, and Celestial Evil Sword’s ultimate Swordsmanship had also erupted with a power that surpassed his own Cultivation level!

And at that very moment, an absolute aura of one who battles heaven and earth erupted from Qi Yuntian!

The glow between his palms grew even more brilliant, and his aura became even more terrifying!

"Wuji Battle Heaven!"

A Palm Light that shook the firmament shot out, exuding a grand, boundless momentum that transcended all.

BOOM! BANG!

The Palm Technique and Sword Qi clashed, and the tornado at the center of the Martial Arts Arena suddenly exploded, sweeping out in all directions.

Qi Yuntian and Celestial Evil Sword rapidly drifted back, engulfed by the storm.

When everything gradually dissipated, Qi Yuntian’s clothes were tattered and his breathing was slightly ragged, but his figure remained ramrod straight, his eyes still shining with spirit.

"You’ve lost..."

Qi Yuntian stared at his opponent.

Celestial Evil Sword’s face was pale and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but he had not surrendered.

"I haven’t lost yet!"

Celestial Evil Sword grit his teeth and persisted, striking out with a sword that held only sixty percent of its peak power.

He was at the end of his rope.

Strangely, Qi Yuntian did not meet the attack.

He tapped his toes lightly and his figure floated back, the sword strike brushing past his body.

"Lose!"

At that moment, Qi Yuntian took a deep breath and slowly pushed out a palm. The white, shining Palm Force shot through the air, struck Celestial Evil Sword in the chest, and sent him flying off the Martial Arts Arena.

"Qi Yuntian wins!"