A huge commotion had already erupted in the stands. After all, although Murong QingShui was in the second tier, in many people's eyes, her strength was comparable to the first tier, ranking fifth on the Hidden Dragon List in the south, which was no joke.

Compared to Liu Mubai and Xing Wuyuan, whom Ling Chen had defeated earlier, Murong QingShui was obviously a notch stronger.

"Who do you think will win?"

In one area of the stands, Sima Xiaoyao stood with Murong Ziying and asked.

"Fifty-fifty, I suppose."

Murong Ziying had seen Ling Chen in action at the West Market. Moreover, she was well aware of her sister Murong QingShui's strength. After pondering for a while, she gave her answer.

"Fifty-fifty? Maybe."

Sima Xiaoyao mused silently. In his opinion, Ling Chen might have a greater chance of winning because, until now, he hadn't really figured Ling Chen out, not knowing just how deep his potential ran.

That was the most terrifying aspect.

On the stage, the two stood fifty meters apart.

This Murong QingShui was a very attractive woman, as clear and untainted as a water lotus in a pond, much like Murong Ziying in demeanor. This made Ling Chen secretly amazed at how many strong female talents there were in the Azure Dragon Family. Perhaps the family head was also a woman.

"I've watched your matches, and you're not bad, but if that's all you've got, you're no match for me."

Murong QingShui looked at Ling Chen casually. Her cultivation had reached the Eighth Layer of Sky Apex Realm. Besides that, her cultivation technique, the "Azure Dragon Water Sunflower Art," had also advanced to the ninth peak, and she had mastered 40% of the Water Intent, so she didn't take Ling Chen seriously at all. Her real opponents were the first-tier geniuses—the only ones worthy of her full effort. To her, Ling Chen was just slightly troublesome.

Ling Chen's lips curled, "You'll change your tune soon enough!"

"Oh? That depends on whether you're qualified!"

Murong QingShui's gaze cooled, and as she interlocked her fingers, she unleashed her unique "Qiu Shui Divine Fist," the surging fist strength rolling like waves, one wave higher than the other.

Ling Chen, unfazed by the surging fist strength, tapped the ground with his foot and darted like lightning. In mid-air, he raised the Red Sky Sword above his head and swung it down vertically. A dragon's roar echoed as a fire dragon, bathed in flames, tore through the sky, carrying the power to slice mountains and break the earth.

With a tremendous explosion, Murong QingShui's fist strength was dispersed by the Sword Light, and Ling Chen's Sword Light also dissipated in the explosion wave.

The first exchange saw Ling Chen gain a slight upper hand.

"Not bad, you deserve a bit of my serious effort." Murong QingShui's expression was unchanged. Ling Chen having this level of skill was within her expectations; otherwise, it would mean she overestimated him.

Raising her True Qi a notch, Murong QingShui's jade-like leg bent slightly as she launched skyward, punching toward Ling Chen. This punch lacked fancy tricks; it was simply faster, more decisive, and fiercer. Under the thrust of Water Intent, purple lightning emerged within the fist strength, a phenomenon caused by its overwhelming power.

Facing this overpowering fist strength, Ling Chen's wrist flicked, and a stream of meteor-like Flame Sword Qi shot out, extremely unstable, as it shot towards Murong QingShui.

A subtle collision sound arose, and Murong QingShui's fist strength and the meteor of Sword Qi disintegrated together. The incompatible water and fire exploded in mid-air, with swirling water droplets and fiery Sword Qi scattering like a fountain in all directions. This shockwave alone could annihilate numerous ordinary top Sky Apex Strong.

Murong QingShui's body, sliding backward, suddenly swerved. She not only dissipated the violent radiative force but also redirected it into a massive vortex. Utilizing the centrifugal force, she spread her arms wide, diving down from the air like an eagle.

"Blue Dragon Whirlpool!"

With a punch, True Qi surged from all directions, shaping into a form of a blue dragon, frantically spiraling with the fist strength to create a continuously contracting flat vortex. This vortex was so condensed and sharp that it emitted a piercing slicing sound.

This move was the final style of Qiu Shui Divine Fist, containing 30% of the Water Intent. It wielded even more power in Murong QingShui's hands.

"Thunder Cut!"

At this moment, Ling Chen had given up evasion. This Blue Dragon Whirlpool contained formidable suction power. Without extreme speed, it was impossible to escape the attack range. Therefore, one could only break the Blue Dragon Whirlpool from the best angle to avoid being caught in a disadvantageous position.

Ling Chen, using his body as a sword, thrust to the right of the Blue Dragon Whirlpool, holding the Red Sky Sword tightly with both hands, horizontally across his chest, slicing along the Blue Dragon Whirlpool's trajectory.

Chop!

This series of moves was completed in a flash, and as the sword blade passed, evening light flashed with electric brilliance from within the Blue Dragon Whirlpool.

"What, you broke my Blue Dragon Whirlpool?"

Murong QingShui's beautiful eyes narrowed.

"Take my sword!"

Breaking the Blue Dragon Whirlpool with one slash, Ling Chen's momentum didn't falter as he unleashed a storm of Sword Lights toward Murong QingShui, closing in on her immediately.

"Hmph!"

Murong QingShui snorted coldly. Both of her fists unleashed in quick succession, and the fist momentum surged to its peak, giving off the sensation of a dam full of water abruptly breaking, unleashing a torrential wave.

Pff-pff-pssh-pssh!

Fist edges and sword edges clashed continuously, sparking vivid sparks, while scorching heat waves kicked up torrents of dust and debris from the stage, sweeping in all directions.

"Hit!"

The Red Sky Sword arched into an impressive curve, and Ling Chen suddenly sprang away. Light flickered on the little and index fingers of his left hand, releasing two wisps of light blue Sword Qi shooting out with a sizzling sound.

"Not good!"

Murong QingShui had not anticipated Ling Chen having one more trick up his sleeve. She managed only to punch and shatter the first wisp of Sword Qi, while the second pierced through her protective True Qi, spilling a streak of blood.

"What, Murong QingShui got injured, struck by Ling Chen's Sword Qi splash."

"It's just Sword Qi fired from the fingers, yet it's sharp enough to easily pierce through Murong QingShui's defense."

"Fantastic! What an intense duel. Although both are incredibly strong, in the end, Ling Yu's skill is slightly superior."

"This Ling Yu seems to be a trump card for the Ling Family, a super dark horse hidden so deeply!"

In the stands, the crowd had long been abuzz with discussion, astonished by Ling Chen's victory.

This match was a genuine showdown between strong opponents, with no filler or suspense. The battle was intensely fierce. Murong QingShui was indeed weaker than Ling Chen and lost undeniably.

This led those who previously had doubts about Ling Chen's strength to dispel those concerns, bringing about a complete transformation in their perspective on Ling Chen.