The combat power of both fighters could be considered invincible within the Qi Sea Realm. If not for facing an equally talented genius, any ordinary Qi Sea Realm Martial Artist would be defeated by them in a single blow.

The Bone Spear and the Gentleman’s Sword clashed. Their Elemental Power instantly erupted, blasting a deep crater into the ground where they stood as a thick cloud of dust billowed outward.

"Are those two really Qi Sea Realm Martial Artists? The power of that last strike... I’m afraid it was no less than that of the First Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm."

"What do you know? Do you think anyone who can compete for the Yanhuang List is a pushover? You think they’re the same as you?"

A single strike had rendered the entire Battle Arena silent. Everyone stared, unblinking, at the spot where the two stood. Even the Fifth Prince and his retinue now watched Lin Yun and Chang Qing with solemn expressions.

A flicker of astonishment crossed her face before quickly melting into a cryptic smile. Qing Zhu’s beautiful eyes filled with a deep curiosity; in that last instant, she had sensed the aura of a Divine Demon from Lin Yun.

’A Divine Demon’s aura can actually coexist inside a single person? Young Master Lin, you truly have opened my eyes. What am I to do? I’m growing more and more curious now... so much so that I’m becoming a little reluctant to make my move.’ Her smile widened as the curiosity Qing Zhu felt toward Lin Yun intensified.

From that single, forceful exchange, both Lin Yun and Chang Qing were wounded by the other’s Elemental Power. At the point of impact, the solid floor of the Martial Arts Arena had been blasted into a large crater.

"To possess such combat power at the Second Layer of Qi Sea Realm... if we were in the same Realm, I would be no match for you," Chang Qing said dispassionately, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. "However, as you are today, it is still impossible for you to win."

Lin Yun didn’t reply. He had taken more damage than Chang Qing from that last exchange, but that wasn’t what mattered. The true battle to decide the victor was only just beginning.

Lin Yun tightened his grip on the Bone Spear. In the same moment, both fighters moved, clashing once again.

The entire Martial Arts Arena was filled with their figures—all afterimages. Every clash left another deep crater in the arena floor.

After a mere dozen clashes, the entire Martial Arts Arena looked like a hornet’s nest, pockmarked with more than ten craters of varying sizes. Even so, the two were still locked in a dead heat.

"This young man is truly a dragon among men, able to fight Chang Qing to such a standstill at only the Second Layer of Qi Sea Realm," the Primordial Ocean Realm expert from the Royal Family exclaimed in admiration. One had to remember that Lin Yun was only at the Second Layer of Qi Sea Realm.

If Lin Yun was allowed to develop, by the time he reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Sea Realm, few on the entire Yanhuang List would be able to withstand a single one of his attacks.

’Could it be he has the aptitude of a Demon Fiend?’ the Primordial Ocean Realm expert wondered. But Demon Fiends weren’t born so easily. In the entire Eastern Domain, there were only five such Demon Fiends, whereas geniuses were countless. The gap between a genius and a Demon Fiend was clearly immense.

Their battle, and the combat power they displayed, was enough to represent the absolute peak of Yanhuang Country’s younger generation. Watching the two fight with such wild abandon, the wealthy youths in the audience all held their breath. A fight like this was a rare spectacle.

’Damn it, how is he so strong? Can’t even Chang Qing suppress him?’ The Fifth Prince’s hands were clenched into tight fists. Like everyone else, he was completely focused on the Martial Arts Arena, but his initial ease had been replaced by a burning rage.

Fighting Chang Qing to a standstill already proved that Lin Yun possessed the combat power to be one of the top ten geniuses on the Yanhuang List. This was an outcome the Fifth Prince absolutely did not want to see.

Sharing the Fifth Prince’s sentiment was Kang Lai, who stood to the side. But beyond that, a profound sense of crisis was blooming in his heart.

The combat power displayed by both Chang Qing and Lin Yun had already faintly surpassed his own. As someone ranked at the bottom of the Yanhuang List, Kang Lai realized he might not be able to hold on to his position as one of its top ten geniuses.

’No, this can’t be happening! I am a genius, one of the top ten on the Yanhuang List! No one can shake my position. Lin Yun, Chang Qing... no matter which of you wins today, I, Kang Lai, will not allow you to threaten my place.’ Kang Lai’s heart filled with a vicious resolve. He could not bear to lose the glory of his title and certainly wouldn’t surrender it. He would protect his name as one of the top ten geniuses of the Yanhuang List, even if it meant resorting to any means necessary.

Regardless of their individual thoughts, one thing was certain: everyone present was utterly stunned by Lin Yun and Chang Qing.

This was not combat power an ordinary genius could possibly possess.

The battle reached a fever pitch. Wielding the Bone Spear, Lin Yun was like a fearless Warrior, and the violet-gold Elemental Power enveloping him gave him the domineering and majestic aura of an Emperor.

In contrast to Lin Yun’s domineering presence, Chang Qing appeared far more ordinary. He was gentle as still water, his expression as calm as a placid well. The Gentleman’s Sword in his hand seemed plain, yet it unleashed ferocious attacks. Chang Qing was just as his title suggested: a graceful gentleman.

After a hundred furious exchanges, the two finally drew back, stopping less than ten meters from each other. By this point, both were covered in wounds.

Lin Yun, in particular, was covered in more than a dozen sword wounds that had dyed his clothes red. Fresh blood oozed continuously from the gashes.

They both looked at each other calmly. A subtle change had appeared in Chang Qing’s eyes in particular. In his battle with Lin Yun, Chang Qing felt an unprecedented sense of exhilaration.

As the saying goes, it’s lonely at the top. As one of the most supreme geniuses in Yanhuang Country, Chang Qing had never met a young talent who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him—excluding, of course, the others on the Yanhuang List.

As a follower of the Crown Prince, Chang Qing had been told by the Crown Prince three years ago that the Yanhuang List was not something he should concern himself with. He was but a sword in the Crown Prince’s hand.

To possess the combat power to vie for a spot among the top ten geniuses of the Yanhuang List but be forbidden from doing so—one can only imagine Chang Qing’s disappointment. For him, challenging the Yanhuang List wasn’t about the honor of the title, but about the chance to battle the true geniuses of his generation and revel in the pure, exhilarating feeling of the fight.

Today, Chang Qing had finally experienced that feeling. Lin Yun was a true genius. Their hundred-exchange battle had allowed Chang Qing to sense a monstrous combat power in another that was just like his own.

"This has been my most satisfying battle. If my circumstances weren’t beyond my control, I believe we could have been friends. But such is the world. Come, let’s decide this in a single, final blow." His heart, which had been still for so long, now surged. Chang Qing’s gaze fixed on Lin Yun, his Battle Intent blazing.

Every genius has their own pride, and Chang Qing was no exception. In his eyes, ordinary Martial Artists were trash. Only a genius like Lin Yun was worthy of facing his ultimate sword strike.

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