Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

WHOOSH!

Zhao Fan was struck down onto the battle stage. His clothes were tattered, torn in countless places, and stained red with blood.

However, after Zhao Fan landed, the Sword Rainbow wavered and was withdrawn by He Tianming.

Even so, a powerful aftershock still slammed into him, causing Zhao Fan to cough up blood repeatedly. His face was pale and haggard.

"Zhao Fan lost!"

"Senior Brother He is incredible! His Body Technique was so fast just now, like a phantom! It was too fast!" The spectating Cultivators were all stunned.

"I can't believe Senior Brother Zhao actually lost." Many people still wore looks of astonishment. A moment ago, Zhao Fan's aura had been overwhelming, and he seemed about to gain the upper hand!

"Zhao Fan actually lost." Yuan Chong also looked astonished.

"Senior Brother Zhao is certainly powerful, but he lacks versatility. Senior Brother He's Sword Momentum is not only wild and domineering but also agile, which is why he won," Ling Fei said.

He gained some enlightenment from this battle.

In a battle between experts, a single oversight could determine life and death.

Zhao Fan didn't seem weaker than He Tianming, but he lost because of one single mistake.

This was the way of Martial Arts.

In reality, it was because Zhao Fan's mastery of the Mystical of Martial Arts was inferior to He Tianming's.

"He Tianming is the victor!" A deep voice rang out from the Martial Arts Arena. An Elder had spoken, announcing the result of the match.

With Zhao Fan defeated, an old man waved his large hand, and a wave of Essence Qi swept out, pulling Zhao Fan directly onto the high platform.

This person was an Elder of the Lingyun Sect. His surname was Zhao, and he was a clan elder to Zhao Fan.

"This is Healing Medicine." Elder Zhao took out some Healing Medicine and gave it to Zhao Fan.

"I've already condensed the Mystical Technique Pattern within my Martial Soul and integrated it into my body. I can't believe I still lost," Zhao Fan said, dejected.

"Your Gravity Martial Soul is incredibly profound, but you've only scratched the surface," Elder Zhao said. "When you truly comprehend its Mystical, your combat strength will be beyond compare. However, your attacks lack agility and variation, so naturally, you can't defeat your enemies with ease. Take He Tianming, for example. He knew how to catch you by surprise and deliver a devastating blow. That is where you are lacking."

"But the Gravity Martial Soul is all about overwhelming enemies with raw power," Zhao Fan said with a frown.

Because of this, he had always lacked a certain agility.

"Who said overwhelming enemies with power means you can't be as light as the wind?" Elder Zhao said in a deep voice. "In Martial Arts, one can lift the heavy as if it were light, and also lift the light as if it were heavy."

"To have everything follow your will—that is the Supreme Mystical of Martial Arts."

'Lift the heavy as if it were light, lift the light as if it were heavy, and have everything follow my will!' Zhao Fan seemed to have an epiphany.

"Contemplate on this," Elder Zhao said. "Once you understand this point, you will improve by leaps and bounds."

"Yes." Zhao Fan nodded heavily and began to treat his wounds.

He looked to be in a sorry state, but because he was wearing Defensive Soft Armor, he had only sustained superficial wounds. His injuries weren't as severe as they appeared.

Seeing Zhao Fan begin his recovery, the other Elders nearby smiled faintly, showing no signs of coldness or neglect.

On the contrary, everyone was extremely satisfied with Zhao Fan's performance.

They could all see his potential.

He might be weaker than He Tianming now, but as long as he continued to improve, he would have a chance to surpass him.

"Ling Fei is here!" As their gazes shifted away from Zhao Fan, the Elders on the high platform noticed Ling Fei in the distance.

Immediately, a Steward went to greet him.

Ling Fei was led toward the stands where Lian Shuang and the others were seated.

"It's Ling Fei!"

"Is that Ling the Pill Master? I didn't expect him to be so young!"

"Of course! He's the youngest Alchemist in our Lingyun Sect." When Ling Fei appeared, an uproar immediately swept through the arena.

"But why is he here? Does he plan to participate in the gathering too?"

"I think it's possible. His talent in Martial Arts is nothing to scoff at!" The discussions were endless, and soon, countless gazes fell upon Ling Fei.

On the stage, He Tianming seemed to have lost all his luster.

'Now this is a true chosen one of the heavens!' Yuan Chong, who was beside Ling Fei, sighed in admiration.

Originally, He Tianming's victory should have been his moment of glory.

But the moment Ling Fei appeared, everyone's attention shifted, a testament to how popular he was.

This made He Tianming smile bitterly.

"Ling the Pill Master is here too." As Ling Fei arrived, Fang Yuan immediately looked over.

'Ling Fei! Why do I feel like his aura has grown even stronger than before?' Fang Yuan's gaze sharpened, and a look of surprise appeared on her face.

Beside Fang Yuan, Lian Shuang's long eyelashes fluttered. Her gaze shifted, landing on Ling Fei as he leisurely walked toward them.

"He should have already entered the Celestial Pill Realm," Lian Shuang said after sensing his aura for a moment.

"What? He's already in the Celestial Pill Realm?" Fang Yuan was shocked. "How is that possible? He's only been in the sect for a year!"

"You'll know if you sense it carefully," Lian Shuang said, sparing her words.

"He really reached the Celestial Pill Realm? Doesn't that mean his talent is even greater than yours?" Fang Yuan's face was full of astonishment.

Lian Shuang, however, remained silent, not a single ripple of emotion showing on her face.

It seemed that in her eyes, such empty fame was utterly meaningless.

Or perhaps, if she had wanted to, she could have broken through to the Celestial Pill Realm long ago, so she disdained to even comment on it.

This was the pride of a genius.

However, despite her proud and cold beauty, when Lian Shuang looked at Ling Fei, her eyes clearly held a trace of greater esteem.

Ling Fei was seated at the end of the same row as Lian Shuang, with Yuan Chong sitting next to him.

The senior and junior brothers in the arena all sent respectful gazes toward Ling Fei in greeting.

Ling Fei returned their greetings with a smile.

Then, his gaze fell upon the battle stage ahead.

"The spars for the Celestial Pill Realm Cultivators are reaching their final stage. Only Junior Sister Lian Shuang has yet to fight," Huang Feng whispered beside Ling Fei. "Junior Sister Lian Shuang is also the main focus of this gathering." Clearly, even he was greatly looking forward to seeing Lian Shuang fight with her full strength.

"It's already the last match?" Hearing this, Ling Fei smiled. "Then I arrived just in time."

"Heh, if Ling the Pill Master is willing, you could also go up for a spar or two," Huang Feng chuckled.

"Me?" Ling Fei smiled but said no more, his gaze locking onto the competition stage ahead.

"Lian Shuang, do you wish to fight?" On the high platform, the Elder who had announced the results turned his gaze to the seated Lian Shuang across from him.

Participation in this kind of gathering wasn't mandatory for everyone.

That was why the old man was asking for her opinion.

As for He Tianming, he had originally wanted to challenge Lian Shuang.

But he wasn't confident he could win, so he hadn't spoken up immediately.

Now, having the Elder ask the question saved him from his awkward situation.

"Lian Shuang! Lian Shuang!" Instantly, a wave of cheers erupted in the Martial Arts Arena.

One by one, the young men stared at Lian Shuang with fiery passion, shouting her name.

Clearly, all these people were waiting for Lian Shuang to make her move, waiting for her to display her peerless grace.

It could be said that the reason tens of thousands of people had come to watch in the Martial Arts Arena today was all because of Lian Shuang.

"Hee hee, Senior Sister Lian Shuang, it's time for you to make a move and show off your peerless grace," Fang Yuan said with a hint of excitement, glancing at Lian Shuang.

In the Lingyun Sect, it was extremely rare for a female disciple to be as astonishingly talented and stunning as Lian Shuang!

Fang Yuan felt incredibly proud that such a figure was bringing glory to the female disciples.

At this moment, Ling Fei smiled faintly and also cast an expectant gaze her way.

Lian Shuang seemed to sense it. Her gaze shifted slightly, and she glanced at Ling Fei.

After that, her hesitant demeanor finally changed.

Immediately, everyone saw Lian Shuang rise to her feet, her graceful and slender figure instantly on display.

"I can fight." Lian Shuang stood, her expression as cold and beautiful as ever. Her red lips parted as she spoke faintly.

Her voice was crisp and pleasant, like the sound of a clear spring flowing from a snowy mountain—soothing, yet its icy chill made one shrink back.

A feeling that she was high and unattainable rose in their hearts.

The disciples of the Lingyun Sect seemed long accustomed to Lian Shuang's tone. No one was displeased by it; instead, the crowd grew even more excited.

Many even wore expressions of intoxication.

After all, Lian Shuang usually kept to herself and was a woman of few words. It was rare for anyone to hear her speak.

Now that they could hear the beautiful maiden's words, how could the young men not be excited?

"Please!" On the competition stage, He Tianming was also visibly excited. He looked at Lian Shuang, eager to begin.

He had always considered himself exceptionally talented, with few who could compare.

And in fact, among the disciples of his generation in the Lingyun Sect, there were indeed few who could match him.

However, after just a short time in the spotlight, a newly-enrolled female disciple had suddenly risen to prominence, stealing all his glory.

Because of this, He Tianming had competed against Lian Shuang before, but he had been utterly defeated every time.

Half a year had passed since their last spar.

In that half year, both of them had entered the Celestial Pill Realm.

He Tianming's Mystical of Martial Arts had also improved. Therefore, he was desperate to use this opportunity to fight Lian Shuang. He wanted to see if the gap between them was truly an insurmountable chasm or just a single step. For him, defeating Lian Shuang had become an obsession, a goal.

Lian Shuang was very aloof. With a flash in her eyes, she took a lotus step and walked through the air toward the competition stage.

With every step she took, Light Patterns flickered beneath her feet, and a Sword Lotus would materialize.

In the Martial Arts Arena, Lian Shuang created a Sword Lotus with every step. Her long blue dress moved with the wind, and her long black hair fluttered behind her. Yet her face was icily beautiful, with not a trace of emotion in her eyes, like a heartless being. The indifferent aura she exuded made her seem unapproachable and created a palpable sense of distance.

From a distance, Lian Shuang looked like a Divine Maiden descending from a snow-capped mountain, seeming somewhat out of place in this world.

"So beautiful!" However, upon seeing such a beauty, the disciples in the Martial Arts Arena all showed expressions of utter fascination.

"To witness such a peerless beauty's grace, I can die without regrets!" many sighed emotionally.

'Why is this Lian Shuang so cold?' Ling Fei frowned in confusion. He always felt that she must be shouldering some great burden to be so detached.

Take Shangguan Wan'Er, for instance. She was wholeheartedly pursuing Martial Arts, wanting to control her own destiny, which was why she was aloof and gave no quarter to her pursuers.

But in Lian Shuang's eyes, it wasn't aloofness, but absolute indifference. It wasn't cold beauty, but utter heartlessness. It was as if one could see no ripples of emotion at all.

Even if a ripple did appear, it was a cold one, devoid of any discernible feeling.

How could such an unparalleled beauty with a disposition like this not make one curious?