"This little brat has so many hidden cards."

Within the Ling Family territory, Ling Lie widened his eyes, unable to suppress a curse. Watching Ling Chen take the upper hand and see hope of victory, he never expected Peerless Sword to suddenly claim he had more cards up his sleeve, swiftly extinguishing the newfound flame of hope.

"There's no way around it; for Ling Yu to hold on this far is already quite remarkable."

Ling Zhen also shook his head. No one expected Peerless Sword to still have a trump card at this crucial moment.

If Peerless Sword had no hidden cards, Ling Chen could still fight him to the last moment. However, once Peerless Sword revealed his final trump card, the suspense of this battle was naturally cut short.

"Cousin, please don't let me down."

Liu Mengru whispered softly.

Even at this stage, she still harbored hope for Ling Chen, though even she didn't know what Ling Chen could use at this point to turn the tides.

Unless Ling Chen also had a trump card.

But the likelihood of that was extremely low.

At this moment, on the arena, Peerless Sword was already levitating, with intense light flashing at his brow. From him radiated a fiercely sharp aura, locking onto Ling Chen, making him feel like a prehistoric beast had set its sights on him, sending chills down his spine.

"Ling Yu, this move I'm about to use for the first time; its power is unpredictable. If I'm not careful and end up killing you, then apologies in advance."

Looking down at Ling Chen, Peerless Sword spoke coldly, his voice reverberating across the entire square.

"What is he planning?"

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but be shaken. It's just a spar, yet Peerless Sword was talking about the risk of killing Ling Chen. Was he about to unleash some cataclysmic technique?

Ling Chen's face also grew slightly solemn, not thinking Peerless Sword was exaggerating threats, fearing instead that the opponent was truly going to use some extraordinary move.

Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...

The air currents whipped across the arena, light flashed abruptly at Peerless Sword's brow, and an extremely sharp wave pierced directly through his skin, causing a fissure to form at his brow, from which blood streamed out.

Deep within Peerless Sword's mind, the Sword Spirit Embryo suspended in his Soul Sea began to tremble violently, with countless currents surging inside the Soul Sea, like turbulent waves, foreshadowing Peerless Sword's imminent grand action.

While most were still clueless about what Peerless Sword intended, suddenly, an elder of the Imperial Clan leapt up from his seat, exclaiming loudly, "This is bad! He's trying to use the Sword Spirit Out of Aperture technique!"

"What, the Sword Spirit Out of Aperture technique?"

Hearing this, not only were the Imperial Clan members shocked, but Liu Mengru, Sima Xiaoyao, and others were also astounded and discolored.

The Sword Spirit Out of Aperture technique was not unknown to them; it's a move frequently used by Sword Saint-level powerhouses because a Sword Spirit is the strongest part of a Sword Saint. Using it to kill enemies is able to confront opponents effectively and efficiently.

However, Peerless Sword's formation cannot even be considered a Sword Spirit, merely having just coalesced the Sword Spirit Embryo. Such a Sword Spirit is extremely fragile, and employing the Sword Spirit Out of Aperture technique clearly carries enormous risk. An unexpected collapse could result in total loss of cultivation, severely affecting his foundation.

Undoubtedly, none anticipated Peerless Sword would resort to such a reckless method to defeat Ling Chen.

"Unmatched! Do not be reckless!"

An elder of the Imperial Clan furrowed his brows, sternly shouted.

Peerless Sword is the foremost of the younger generation of the Imperial Clan, also the foremost king of the young generation of the Central Dynasty. His importance is unmistakable. If something happens to him, the entire Imperial Clan will suffer a great loss, equivalent to the loss of a future High-level Saint.

Given Peerless Sword's natural talent and potential, future growth into a High-level Saint is practically assured.

"Fourth Elder, if I lose today, it would be a lifelong shame. Rather than fall into the abyss of defeat, tormented by the Heart Demon, I might as well take a risk and achieve victory with surprise!"

Peerless Sword had no intention of holding back, but instead hastened the activation of the Sword Spirit Embryo, his eyes shone fiercely, "Today, no one can stop me!"

"Alas!"

The elder of the Imperial Clan sighed and ceased his attempts to dissuade him, knowing Peerless Sword's obstinate personality, believing that should he truly lose to Ling Chen, he might indeed fall. Instead of that, better to let him take the risk, and intervene if things go wrong.

"This kid has gone mad!"

Watching Peerless Sword's frenzied act, Ling Lie could no longer sit still. The elders of the Imperial Clan may sit by as Peerless Sword acts recklessly, but he cannot watch Ling Chen fall to such peril.

"Ling Yu, quickly withdraw from the stage!"

Ling Lie shouted sternly towards Ling Chen on the arena.

This reckless child, resorting to such perilous techniques, this spar could turn lethal, what's the point of continuing? Even if Ling Chen wins, it's merely first place, but if Ling Chen cannot withstand and dies on the stage, then the Ling Family would suffer tremendously, and both he and Ling Zhen would be deemed the Ling Family's eternal wrongdoers.

"Ling Yu, as long as the green hills remain, there's no worry about having no firewood to burn. Referee, in this duel, our Ling Family forfeits."

Ling Zhen and Ling Lie exchanged a glance. After the latter nodded in agreement, Ling Zhen looked towards the nearby referee and declared loudly.

"This... To concede the match, one must have the participant's consent."

The referee hesitated, then turned his gaze to Ling Chen, "Ling Yu, are you certain you want to concede?"

The Ling Family members were tense, looking at Ling Chen, who merely shook his head lightly as if he didn't see them, "I don't have the words 'concede' in my dictionary."

Then he looked at the referee, "I choose to continue the match."

"Ling Yu!"

Ling Lie's eyes were about to pop out, ready to vent his anger, but at that moment, a lazy voice transmitted softly, "Ling Qing, be calm. If Ling Yu truly is at risk, I will ensure his life is protected and unharmed. Let him continue the match."

The owner of this lazy voice was none other than Empress Yunyao.

Ling Lie still wanted to say more, but ultimately choked back his words. Empress Yunyao's voice was as authoritative as a Holy Command, each word absolute. Given her promise, he naturally had no place to argue further.

After calming Ling Lie, Empress Yunyao's gaze fell upon Ling Chen, the corners of her lips subtly arched, her smile peerlessly enchanting.

"Young one, unleash all the potential within your body, and let me witness your full power."