Chapter 430: The Heavenly Secrets Competition (Part 2)

Just now, when the first round ended, everyone was amazed at Zhou Jun’s prowess. However, after two consecutive rounds, anyone with discernment could tell that this wasn’t a martial arts competition; it was clearly a staged performance, with both challengers acting as stooges. To think he had the audacity to cheat openly during the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony; Zhou Jun sure has some nerve.

For a moment, everyone’s gaze turned to Zhou Qi. Shouldn’t the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion intervene? Contrary to expectations, Zhou Qi not only did not intervene but instead said with a smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, he has now won two consecutive rounds. If he wins one more, you will have no chance left."

"I’ll go!" "Let me take you on!" "..."

As soon as Zhou Qi’s words left his mouth, immediately, seven or eight young men, unwilling to be outdone, rushed onto the stage, Ling Chen joining them.

Seeing these young men staring at him menacingly, Zhou Jun suddenly felt intimidated and managed a forced smile. Turning to Zhou Qi, he said, "Umm... Grandpa, I forfeit. Let them do it." After speaking, he scurried down the stage in disgrace and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Grandpa?

The crowd burst into laughter, realizing that the young man was indeed Zhou Qi’s grandson; no wonder Zhou Qi turned a blind eye.

"That brat just played a little joke with everyone, please don’t mind. However..." Zhou Qi looked at the people on the stage and continued with a laugh, "However, my good-for-nothing grandson did do one good thing; he pushed you all to step forward, saving us some time. Now, I will ask again, is there anyone else? If not, I’ll change the rules a bit. The eight of you will pair up and fight, three rounds to decide the victor. Any objections?"

"No objections." Everyone responded in unison.

To save time, the eight individuals each took their spots at the four corners of the ring, and all began at once.

Ling Chen was matched with a young man in his early twenties, perhaps a year or two younger than himself, but he was burly and sported a shaved head, looking strong and formidable.

After exchanging a few courteous words, the bald man did not hesitate and immediately charged towards Ling Chen with his stout legs, like a humanoid bulldozer, his momentum fierce.

As the opponent closed in, Ling Chen moved his feet, swiftly circling to the bald man’s side. He lightly raised his right leg to block the bald man’s rushing legs, and with his left hand, he pushed on the opponent’s back.

Instantly, the bald man stumbled, his burly body losing balance and tumbling to the ground.

"Ling Chen, victor of the first round."

Hearing Zhou Qi’s voice, Ling Chen silently smirked, but the audience erupted in boos. Even a move fit for a child’s brawl was enough to secure victory; Ling Chen’s opponent was too weak to land a blow.

In a few minutes, Ling Chen and three others advanced to the next stage, while the rest were eliminated.

When Ling Chen had spoken with the Tea Girl previously, she had told him that with his capabilities, he could rank in the top ten of the Newcomer List, but considering other factors, they had left him off the list.

Thus, compared with these competitors, Ling Chen felt no pressure or threat at all.

The second round’s outcome was as expected, with Ling Chen easily defeating his opponent and advancing to the final round.

"Ling Chen, your luck ends here. Will you go down on your own, or shall I send you down?"

Ling Chen looked at his opponent, perplexed. The other’s words carried a hint of coldness, with anger flickering in his eyes, almost as if he saw Ling Chen as an enemy. However, Ling Chen had no recollection of knowing this person at all.

"The next match is the decisive battle, Ling Chen versus Liang Qian of the Qingyang Sect. The ultimate victor will secure a spot in the Newcomer competition."

As Zhou Qi’s voice rang out, Ling Chen immediately realized that this man was a disciple of the Qingyang Sect; no wonder he harbored such enmity towards him.

"If you want to avenge Xu Song and the others, then come at me. Why so much nonsense?"

"Seeking death!"

Liang Qian coldly snorted and, with a light tap of his toes, he swooped toward Ling Chen at high speed, his spear thrusting straight toward Ling Chen’s face.

Ling Chen retreated step by step, trying to dodge the spearhead. But Liang Qian’s spearmanship was exquisite, and no matter how Ling Chen moved, the sharp spearhead always locked onto his body, pressing closer with each step.

Seeing that he was about to be driven to the edge of the arena, Ling Chen hesitated no more, reaching swiftly to his waist.

Clang!

Accompanied by a crisp sound, the spear tightly gripped by Liang Qian was struck, diverting its course, sweeping past Ling Chen.

At the same time, Ling Chen’s hand now held a rod-shaped iron instrument, roughly a foot and a half long.

Upon seeing Ling Chen wielding the Tianling Blade, Zhu Jin and Yi Shuiyan from the Dangyang Sect squinted their eyes, fixating on the blade with intense desire, wishing they could snatch it away immediately.

At this moment, Ling Chen lightly triggered a mechanism, and a sharp blade suddenly extended from the end, transforming into a sword over three feet long.

With the sword in hand, Ling Chen took a couple of running steps and vigorously launched off his toes, his body leaping high into the air. Following that, he twisted his waist, spread out his arms, and swiftly rotated in mid-air, like a spinning windmill, bringing the sword blade slashing down in quick succession upon Liang Qian’s head, not pausing for a moment.

Under the relentless sword onslaught, Liang Qian found no chance to fight back and was forced to hold his spear horizontally above his head to parry the sword strikes.

However, apart from the spear tip, the shaft of Liang Qian’s spear was made of wood. Although sturdy, it could not withstand the sharpness of the Tianling Blade. Moreover, Ling Chen’s precision was impeccable; every strike hit the same spot.

When the fifth strike came down, Liang Qian’s spear could no longer withstand Ling Chen’s assault and snapped into two pieces at the center.

Without the spear for defense, Ling Chen’s Tianling Blade directly thrust forward, firmly resting against Liang Qian’s neck.

"You’ve lost!"

Liang Qian’s face turned ugly as he looked at the Tianling Blade, his gaze flickering. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and bellowed, "I haven’t lost yet!" As he spoke, he leaned forward, grabbing the broken spearhead with his hand, lunging straight for Ling Chen’s chest.

Seeing Liang Qian’s action, Qiu Yong and others in the audience seats changed their expressions dramatically, rising from their seats to exclaim, "Stop!"

However, Liang Qian ignored their shouts, his malicious face bearing a grim smile.

At that moment, seeing the rapidly approaching spearhead, Ling Chen’s eyebrows furrowed; he had not expected Liang Qian to resort to such extreme measures. He had thought the battle was over and had let down his guard, only to find Liang Qian launching a surprise attack.

Moreover, from the direction of the spearhead, it was clear he aimed to take Ling Chen’s life.

As the spearhead was less than five centimeters away from a vital spot, Ling Chen didn’t hesitate, his wrist flicking slightly. Instantly, Liang Qian’s face stiffened, his movements abruptly slowing.

Seizing the opportunity, Ling Chen quickly withdrew, evading the spear attack.

"You... you..." Liang Qian opened his mouth but couldn’t believe what he saw from Ling Chen.

Before he could finish, a stream of hot blood spurted from his neck, and his body collapsed to the ground.