After exchanging fist salutes, the two sides immediately engaged in a fierce battle.

Sima Linyuan knew his opponent was powerful, and without any probing, he swung his knife with full force. The blade light was like a sea, sweeping through the air in front at high speed, creating waves like a raging sea.

"Waves Cleansing Sand!"

With a loud shout, the roaring waves split open, and a thin arc of light several feet long shot out swiftly as a flash of light.

Crack!

The arc of light didn't strike Gui Tianjian but instead scraped out a large spark on the surface of the platform, which seemed protected by a layer of prohibition energy, remaining undamaged.

Sima Linyuan frowned. For an instant, Gui Tianjian had moved several steps sideways as if shape-shifting, faster than instant teleportation.

This person's bodily movement is quite exquisite. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Divert Slash!"

Reaching extreme speed, Sima Linyuan leaped into the ocean of blade light. Every turn triggered an attack, and for a moment, the whole arena was filled with his attacks, with the blade light covering the sky.

"Evil Ghost Rampage!"

Sparkling light surged in Gui Tianjian's eyes. He turned his eyes, seemingly seeing through Sima Linyuan's movements. The next moment, black light surged from his sleeve, and a shadow dashed out from behind Sima Linyuan to attack.

"Not good!"

Sima Linyuan halted his movement, forcibly altering his trajectory.

Poof!

The shadow was formless and shapeless, relentlessly pursuing Sima Linyuan like bone maggots.

"Scram!"

Sima Linyuan steadied himself, stopped retreating, and released a mighty blade intent from his brow, directly shattering the ghostly shadow.

"Sea-Returning One Blade!"

His eyes narrowed suddenly. Sima Linyuan's long knife surged, and the sea of blade energy condensed into a concentrated blade light, releasing an unparalleled aura.

Yet, seeing the astonishing blade light sweeping over, Gui Tianjian didn't show any fear. Instead, a strange smile curled on his lips. He clasped his hands, and the next moment, his body blurred, with two silhouettes emerging from Gui Tianjian's main body, leaving a single figure behind.

Boom!

The violent blade energy instantly engulfed Gui Tianjian's body, but there wasn't a hint of joy on Sima Linyuan's face because the two shadows that just separated from Gui Tianjian's body were already closing in on him from both sides!

The aura of the two shadows was almost identical, and Sima Linyuan couldn't determine which one was Gui Tianjian's main body, leaving him no choice but to swing his knife at the shadow on the right.

Slash!

The shadow on the right was cut in half by a single blow and then dispersed.

"Damn."

Sima Linyuan's heart sank, and with a heavy heart, he struck left again!

However, a cold sword edge reached him first, stabbing into Sima Linyuan's arm.

The sword light flickered, and a line of blood flew up.

"Lost, such a shame."

Seeing this, Ling Chen couldn't help shaking his head. Just now, Sima Linyuan faced a two-outcome choice. If he had chosen correctly, the one losing would have been Gui Tianjian.

But in battles of this caliber, where power is nearly even, luck often plays a big part, and clearly, Gui Tianjian was lucky in this match.

"Well fought."

Gui Tianjian clasped his fists toward Sima Linyuan, with cold sweat beading on his forehead. Truth be told, he didn't feel relaxed at all, understanding that if Sima Linyuan had hit his true body, it would be him lying on the ground now.

Nevertheless, defeating Sima Linyuan made him feel accomplished, as his opponent was almost on par with him.

Next, his goal was to defeat Ling Yuxuan and crush the young generation of the Ling Family.

"This Gui Tianjian seems to have an eye on our Ling Family."

Ling Xue noticed the hostility in Gui Tianjian's gaze and immediately felt a sense of worry.

"Gui Tianjian is not a concern. His brother Gui Tianchou is the real formidable adversary."

Ling Chen glanced at Gui Tianjian before retracting his gaze. Gui Tianjian had already exerted full power in the battle with Sima Linyuan just now, posing little threat to Ling Chen.

The real issue is with those top-tier geniuses who have yet to reveal their full strength.

Nonetheless, Ling Chen wasn't in a hurry. In everyone's eyes, he remained a second-tier figure, allowing him to stay low-key and conceal as much of his strength as possible.

After Sima Linyuan was defeated, it caused quite a stir in the stands because Sima Linyuan was the second-ranked genius of the Shen Dao Family, and in the second tier, he was a top-notch figure. His defeat left a significant impact on the crowd.

As the tournament progressed, Ling Chen faced a few more opponents, but they were inconsequential, not even ranking in the second tier. As daylight broke and the battles stretched into a full day and night, originally numbering in the hundreds or even thousands, only about forty contestants remained.

Some experts on the Hidden Dragon List, including those Ling Chen knew like Tang Ze and Murong Ying, were all eliminated without exception.

On the Ling Family side, aside from Ling Yuxuan, Ling Chen, and Ling Xue, everyone else had been eliminated. Even Ling Han Ye, who had been highly anticipated, was unfortunately eliminated by Kong Wenju from the Literature Saint Family.

However, the Heavenly Sword Tournament had reached its final stages by now. After two more elimination rounds, the top ten of this tournament would be decided.

Despite continuous fighting for a full day and night, the spectators remained not weary at all. Instead, their spirits grew even more fervent. For Sky Apex Realm warriors, staying up all night and fighting posed no issue. Even several days of such could be handled without a problem.

"You three, it's all on you now."

Ling Lie and Ling Zhen's gazes fell on Ling Chen and the others, like parental figures watching school students going to the capital for examinations, hoping they would excel and bring glory to the family.

"Rest assured, Elders." Ling Yuxuan responded with a clasped fist.

Ling Chen also nodded. Although he had conflicts with Ling Yuxuan, in terms of bringing honor to the Ling Family, they shared a common goal. He then looked at the giant floating gold list with a glimmer in his eye. This time, he must get his name on that list no matter what.

"Ling Chen of the Ling Family versus Murong Qingshui of the Murong House!"

As Ling Chen was pondering, a clear voice echoed through the first platform.

"So soon."

Ling Chen's eyes brightened, but Ling Lie, Ling Zhen, and the other Ling Family members looked tense, as if facing a formidable opponent, because Ling Chen's opponent, Murong Qingshui, was second only to Murong Ziying among the Azure Dragon Family's talents.

This Murong Qingshui ranked fifth on the Southern Hidden Dragon List, with impressive strength.