Buzz!

The golden ranking board floating mid-air lit up, and at the very top of it, the words "Ling Yu" appeared brilliantly.

"The top ten, and there's actually a newcomer squeezed in."

The top geniuses of the other Eight Families all showed a pensive look one after another. Although they had watched the battles, when they learned the result, they still felt somewhat shocked.

In fact, the top ten were basically determined when the Heavenly Sword Tournament opened. Those were the ten people everyone could guess, but Ling Chen was definitely a variable.

No one expected this sudden dark horse to reach this stage.

Moreover, with Ling Chen taking a spot, it meant there were only nine spots left.

"Congratulations, congratulations."

As Ling Chen stepped off the stage, Ling Xue, Ling Tong, and some Ling family disciples who supported Ling Chen surrounded him, their joy evident on their faces.

"Fortunately, I did not fail."

Ling Chen remained poised and simply smiled faintly. The top ten was a celebratory achievement for the Ling family, but it was far from his ultimate goal.

His goal was to be the first in the Heavenly Sword Tournament.

To stand above all the geniuses of the Nine Provinces.

Watching Ling Chen's back, many people showed admiration. Just a moment ago, Ling Chen was an unknown figure. After four consecutive battles and victories against notable opponents, his achievements were acquired in a short time, creating a sensation.

Regardless of how the Heavenly Sword Tournament proceeds, the title of the biggest dark horse of this tournament will definitely fall on Ling Chen, and it won't be long before his fame spreads widely.

"Really, rise to fame overnight, known to everyone in the world!"

Many expressed their sentiments.

Ling Chen's exit made the subsequent battles seem slightly dull, but everyone was eagerly anticipating more explosive contests, as the current matches were the most critical duels.

Following Ling Chen, the other matches also began, and the remaining spots in the top ten were continuously decided.

Peerless Sword and Sima Xiaoyao were the first to defeat their opponents and enter the top ten, but Liu Mengru encountered Second Prince Li Tailong, one of the Royal Three Giants, resulting in an inevitable fierce battle.

"Damn it, why did I run into this woman?"

Li Tailong cursed his bad luck inwardly. He had a great chance of advancing if he faced others, but now that he encountered Liu Mengru, his chances became slim.

"Li Tailong, do you surrender, or do you want a beating before rolling off the stage? It's your choice."

Liu Mengru wore a seemingly enchanting smile, but in Li Tailong's view, it was the smile of a devil. He knew how formidable this woman was, and her charming smile only made his heart thump with fear.

"Surrender, no way!"

Li Tailong, though aware he was no match for Liu Mengru, couldn't surrender without a fight. He was, after all, one of the three top experts of the royal family's younger generation. To surrender without fighting would be too humiliating for the royal family.

Moreover, he wasn't completely without a chance.

"Not surrendering?"

Liu Mengru curled the corner of her mouth and, disinclined to waste words, formed a seal with her jade-like hands. An ancient Bagua Pattern suddenly emerged in front of her.

Whoosh!

With a mere press of her hand, the Bagua Pattern in front of Liu Mengru shot out directly towards Li Tailong, aiming to subdue him.

"Dragon Form Fist!"

Facing a formidable opponent, Li Tailong shouted, his right fist forcefully struck out, unleashing a rampant Dragon Form Fist Strength that emitted a dazzling golden light, exuding an overbearing power.

Bam!

However, when Li Tailong's fist collided with the Bagua Pattern, it barely shook it, only slowing it down slightly, as it continued to suppress with unstoppable speed.

Li Tailong could only strike out with his bare hands, gathering his robust True Qi in his palms, and press against the Bagua Pattern.

Crack!

At the moment when his hands made contact with the Bagua Pattern, the ground beneath Li Tailong's feet cracked suddenly, and his feet were driven into the ground by the immense pressure.

Without changing her expression, Liu Mengru formed another seal with her right hand. A second Bagua Pattern gathered in front of her. A gentle push sent the pattern shooting out, instantly merging with the initial one.

The two Bagua Patterns converged, emitting a blinding light, while Li Tailong, who tried to resist with his hands, was blasted away like a cannonball.

"Stop for me!"

Li Tailong's face twisted in effort, trying to regain his stance, but before he could stop, a fragrant breeze approached, and Liu Mengru appeared in front as her fair palm tore through the air and struck his chest. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Pffft!

With a mouthful of blood spraying out, Li Tailong could no longer control his body and was sent flying out of the arena.

"Liu Mengru wins!"

Everyone had already anticipated this result, but they still couldn't help but exclaim. Liu Mengru was Liu Mengru. Even against one of the royal family's young generation top three, Li Tailong, he was rapidly defeated without any chance to retaliate.

While marveling at Liu Mengru's formidable strength, another match concluded with Fourth Prince Li Yifeng defeating his opponent to smoothly advance into the top ten.

"Fourth brother, I'll leave it to you to teach that kid a lesson."

Returning to the royal family's area, Li Tailong looked at Li Yifeng with some unwillingness.

"Don't worry, I'll include your share too."

Li Yifeng grinned, his gaze fixed on the Ling family area, eyes slightly cold. Ling Chen's interest in Liu Mengru undoubtedly crossed his boundaries, and he was determined to give Ling Chen a good punishment.

After Li Yifeng, Murong Ziying, Kong Wenju, and Tang Haotian all defeated their opponents in succession, entering the top ten.

Although there were also some outstanding talents from other Saint Families, they still fell slightly short compared to the top geniuses of the Nine Great Families.

"Ling Yuxuan of the Sword Saint Family versus Gui Tianchou of the Heavenly Wolf Family!"

Suddenly, a referee's voice echoed from the arena.

The stands fell silent immediately.

Ling Yuxuan against Gui Tianchou.

Everyone turned serious. Ling Yuxuan, as the chief genius of the Sword Saint Family Ling Family, had cultivated the Ling Family's Supreme Sword Technique, Heaven-Breaking Sword Jue, to the eighth style, whereas Gui Tianchou was the chief genius of the Gui Family of the Heavenly Wolf Family. Everyone had already witnessed Gui Tianjian's strength, and Gui Tianchou was even stronger than Gui Tianjian.

The battle between these two chief geniuses was destined to be earth-shattering.