"What does Brother Ling Hai think should be done?"

Ling Chen spoke leisurely.

"The simplest way is to have a fight."

Ling Hai grinned, his smile seeming particularly cold, "If you can defeat me, then I'll immediately shut up about your promotion to a direct descendant and won't say another word!"

"Can you keep your word?"

Ling Chen smiled faintly, "Don't wait until you lose and someone else from your elder branch jumps out to oppose, implying I must defeat each one individually."

"There's no need. My opinion represents the entire elder branch."

Ling Hai had already received permission from Ling Yuxuan, and it was precisely at the latter's behest that he dared to openly oppose in public, fearlessly.

"Then let's fight."

Ling Chen's voice was quite soft, "I hope Your Excellency will keep your promise after losing."

"Haha, I admire your confidence."

Ling Hai laughed heartily, but his eyes grew colder, "You think defeating Ling Tong truly qualifies you as my opponent? What a joke!"

As these words were spoken, Ling Tong's expression turned unsightly, but Ling Hai's strength was indeed slightly superior; however, such arrogant words clearly showed he did not consider him important.

"Are you going to fight Ling Hai?"

In another direction on the platform, those direct descendants squinted their eyes watching this scene, all secretly smiling. Does Ling Chen still consider Ling Hai to be Ling Tong?

Although they had previously seen Ling Chen spend nine days at the Sword Pool, he was still at the Sky Apex Fourth Layer, while Ling Hai's cultivation had reached the Eighth Layer.

Moreover, Ling Hai was listed among the "Ling Family Four Heroes," his talent and aptitude acknowledged by everyone, and his strength making him one of the top among the direct descendants.

"Truly youthful arrogance..."

Ling Hai's lips slowly curled into a smile that could not be described as either mocking or appreciative, then he raised his head to look at Ling Tingfeng and Ling Lie, saying, "Family Head, Third Elder, this challenge was proposed by Brother Ling Yu himself, not forced by me, so you can be reassured I won't take his life in this duel among fellow clan members."

Upon hearing this, Ling Tingfeng and Ling Lie frowned a bit, a trace of hesitation crossing their eyes. Ling Hai's strength was not to be underestimated; although not on par with Ling Yuxuan, he had stood out as a top talent among many clan disciples, and it would not be easy for Ling Chen to defeat him.

"Family Head, if I am defeated, it means my skills are inferior, and this direct descendant position does not belong to me, so I would have no one else to blame."

Ling Chen spoke calmly to Ling Tingfeng.

Seeing Ling Chen's attitude, Ling Tingfeng nodded slightly, "Alright, but this is the Ling Family, both of you are members of the Ling Family, and the sparring should be measured. If there's malicious injury, don't blame me for being impolite."

"Yes!"

Hearing Ling Tingfeng's stern tone, Ling Hai felt a chill in his heart, immediately dispelling any small thoughts. He had wanted to use this opportunity to cripple Ling Chen's limbs, making him incapacitated for a month or two, but now he must be more cautious.

Seeing this, Ling Tingfeng nodded satisfactorily, then waved his hand, saying, "In that case, go ahead and have your sparring match!"

"Ling Yu, if you can defeat Ling Hai in this sparring match, you will rightfully become a direct descendant of the Ling Family and the only one to be directly promoted from a branch family descendant to a direct descendant!"

"I will certainly do my best."

Ling Chen nodded, then slowly turned to face Ling Hai, lightly clasped his fists, "Brother Ling Hai, please enlighten me!"

As Ling Chen's words fell, the previous whispers on the platform quietly disappeared, and all eyes turned to watch the arena, the tense atmosphere almost suffocating.

"To become a direct descendant, you won't pass my test easily." Ling Hai stretched out his tongue to lick his lips, smiling slowly.

"Then I'll have to step over you."

Ling Chen pursed his lips, then a smile appeared on his face, speaking softly.

"Arrogant!"

Ling Hai's eyes suddenly turned fierce, stepping forward, and at this moment, the vast True Qi unleashed from his body without reservation, revealing the Eighth Layer of Sky Apex Realm, clearly intending to go all out, to defeat Ling Chen with lightning speed, and crush him relentlessly underfoot!

Phew!

Noticing Ling Hai's aura, Ling Chen's gaze narrowed slightly; indeed, Ling Hai's strength was far beyond Ling Tong, likely much stronger.

Ling Hai's expression was covered by indifference, and indeed he had no intention for warm-up. With a grip of his hand, the boundless True Qi rapidly gathered into his palm, infused into his treasure sword, from which an astonishingly fierce wave emitted.

The treasure sword in Ling Hai's hand radiated a stone-like glow, translucent, clearly at least Half-Saint level, and of a higher quality than Ling Tong's sword, almost nearing the tier of Holy Tier Treasure Sword.

"This sword is named Stoneheart Sword."

The treasure sword emerged as Ling Hai pointed the sword at Ling Chen, locking Ling Chen from afar.

The sharp edge seemed to permeate through the Void, making people shiver.

"Ling Chen, catch the sword!"

Just as Ling Chen was still amazed at the sharpness of the Stoneheart Sword, a female voice suddenly came from behind. Turning around at that moment, he saw a wholly snow-white treasure sword flying through the air.

Grabbing the treasure sword, Ling Chen immediately felt an extremely cold sensation, as if the sword in his hand was forged from cold ice, emitting an intensely menacing chill.

The one who handed him the sword was Ling Xue.

"Snow Spirit Sword!"

The name of the sword emerged in Ling Chen's mind, having the Perfect Sword Spirit Physique, the sword's veins, advantages, and shortcomings were as clear as daylight in his mind.

Moreover, this Snow Spirit Sword showed no resistance to him, as if they were old acquaintances, instantly fitting together impeccably.

The power of this sword was no less than that of Ling Hai's Stoneheart Sword.

"Thanks a lot!"

Ling Chen gave Ling Xue a grateful look; without a suitable treasure sword, facing Ling Hai would indeed be troublesome.

The Longquan Sword was too fragile and the Red Sky Sword, which Ling Chen had decided not to use to keep his identity secret, left him in need of an effective weapon for battle.

"If you truly want to thank me, use your victory as a token of appreciation."

Ling Xue smiled softly.

"I shall not disappoint you."

Upon completion of his words, Ling Chen infused True Qi into the Snow Spirit Sword, and the next instant, an astonishing sword momentum radiated from Ling Chen, rapidly spreading across the platform!