This round tournament rules for the top five ranking battles meant that every Prodigy needed to face each of the other four once. After Fang Hao fought Nether Fiend, Fairy Ling Yu, and Nether Child in succession and achieved a three-match winning streak, the spotlight on the stage temporarily shifted from him to the fierce battles between the other top Geniuses. The results of these matches would directly determine Fang Hao’s final ranking, especially the weight of his final showdown with Soaring Wind.

Soaring Wind vs. Nether Fiend

First to take the stage were the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Eldest Senior Brother Soaring Wind and the Profound Nether Cult’s Saint Nether Fiend. Both were at the Great Perfection Foundation Establishment Realm, making them the two with the highest cultivation in this Martial Competition; this battle was highly anticipated.

Soaring Wind stood tall with a long sword on his back, his Sword Qi flowing naturally around him. He was like a sharp sword drawn from its scabbard, radiating brilliance. His gaze toward Nether Fiend was calm and steady, carrying the characteristic pride of a Heavenly Sword Sect Disciple.

Nether Fiend, clad in black robes and shrouded in Yin Qi, wore a sinister smile: "Soaring Wind, I’ve long wanted to experience your Heavenly Sword Art."

"As you wish." Before Soaring Wind’s voice even faded, his long sword was out of its scabbard! The sword hummed clearly, and a sword light as brilliant as the Milky Way slashed before Nether Fiend! Its speed was beyond imagination!

Nether Fiend snorted coldly, his figure suddenly blurring into several ghost shadows that were hard to distinguish between real and fake. This was his famous ultimate technique, "Xuan Ming Ghost Shadow." Yin winds howled and ghosts wailed, attempting to disturb Soaring Wind’s mind while attacking him from all directions.

"Tricks." Soaring Wind’s eyes were sharp; he ignored the surrounding phantoms. With a clear sword heart, he directly locked onto Nether Fiend’s true body. "Heavenly Sword Art: Evil Breaker!"

The sword light surged, containing a righteous Aura, the natural nemesis of sinister and evil Cultivation Techniques. Wherever the Sword Qi passed, the ghost shadows dissipated like melting ice. Nether Fiend’s true body was forced to appear, and he hurriedly channeled the "Nine Nether Xuan Ming Qi," the pitch-black air current coiling toward the sword light like a poisonous Dragon.

Chichi chichi!

The extremely Yang and firm Sword Qi clashed violently with the extremely Yin and evil Nether Qi, eroding each other and making a tooth-grinding sound. On the stage, half was filled with stern Sword Qi and the other half with eerie ghost Qi, creating a bizarre sight.

However, Soaring Wind’s sword Dao cultivation was clearly superior; his Sword Qi was incredibly pure and its power long-lasting. After a moment of stalemate, the silver Sword Qi gradually overcame the black air current, pressing forward step by step.

Nether Fiend’s expression changed. He bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of essence blood, causing the power of the Nether Qi to surge suddenly in an attempt to recover from his disadvantage.

"Stubborn!" Soaring Wind shouted coldly, and his sword stance changed again. "Heavenly Sword Art: Judgment!"

A more condensed sword astral, seemingly containing the will of heaven and earth, tore through the air, instantly shredding the enhanced Nether Qi and accurately striking Nether Fiend’s chest.

"Pfft!" Nether Fiend was hit hard and sent flying, crashing heavily onto the edge of the stage. His black robes were torn, and his face was deathly pale.

"Thank you for the match." Soaring Wind sheathed his sword, his breathing steady, as if he had just done something insignificant.

In the first match, Soaring Wind won! He displayed overwhelming strength.

Soaring Wind vs. Fairy Ling Yu

Next, Soaring Wind faced Fairy Ling Yu of the Beast Taming Sect. Fairy Ling Yu knew there was a gap in strength, but she remained calm and composed, releasing her partner—that majestic Third-Rank Snow Eagle.

"Senior Brother Soaring Wind, please advise me," Fairy Ling Yu said with a bow.

Soaring Wind returned the gesture: "Fairy, please."

As the battle began, Fairy Ling Yu took a defensive stance. Wind and snow Spells combined with the Snow Eagle’s ice feather attacks to form a dense defensive web, striving for a solid defense.

Soaring Wind’s sword techniques were bold and grand. The Heavenly Sword Art was matchless in power, each strike carrying an Aura that could tear through anything. The Snow Eagle’s ice feathers and Fairy Ling Yu’s wind and snow barrier constantly shattered under the sharp Sword Qi.

But Fairy Ling Yu and the Snow Eagle coordinated perfectly, their defense extremely tenacious. Additionally, since ice Spells had a certain effect on speed, Soaring Wind found it difficult to break through quickly for a time.

"Heavenly Sword Art: Meteor!" Seeing his attacks stalled, Soaring Wind’s sword speed suddenly increased, turning into countless meteor-like sword lights that stabbed at a single point in the defensive web.

Breaking a surface by striking a point! The defensive web instantly revealed a flaw. Soaring Wind seized the opportunity, and with man and sword as one, he turned into a beam of light and pierced through!

The Snow Eagle shrieked in an attempt to block but was knocked back by the aftershock of the Sword Qi. Fairy Ling Yu sighed, knowing the situation was beyond saving, and took the initiative to admit defeat.

"Senior Brother Soaring Wind’s sword technique is divine; this little sister is impressed."

In the second match, Soaring Wind won again! His momentum was like a rising tide.

Soaring Wind vs. Nether Child

This match was an internal battle within the Heavenly Sword Sect, between Eldest Senior Brother Soaring Wind and his fellow Genius Nether Child. Although Nether Child was slightly inferior to Soaring Wind, he was also a sword Dao Prodigy, making this battle quite suspenseful.

Coming from the same sect, they knew each other’s strengths well. They skipped the testing phase and immediately performed exquisite sword techniques. Sword Qi crisscrossed and sword light flashed on the stage, a dazzling sight.

Soaring Wind’s sword technique was grand and righteous, with a majestic Aura; Nether Child’s sword technique was treacherous and varied, with tricky angles. The two fought inextricably. The brilliance of their sword moves drew bursts of applause from the audience, especially the Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples, who watched in fascination.

After more than two hundred moves of fierce combat, Soaring Wind gradually gained the upper hand by virtue of his deeper cultivation and more profound understanding of the sword Dao. His Sword Intent became increasingly condensed, as if merging with the surrounding heaven and earth.

"Junior Brother Nether Child, be careful!" Soaring Wind let out a long cry and used his trump card technique, "Heavenly Sword Art: Heaven and Earth Slash!"

A massive sword astral that seemed capable of splitting heaven and earth appeared out of thin air, locking down all of Nether Child’s escape routes. Nether Child’s expression was grave as he exerted his full power in a defensive sword technique, but in the end, he was still a step behind.

Boom!

The sword astral fell, and Nether Child was shaken back repeatedly, his Qi and blood churning. Ultimately, he had no choice but to admit defeat.

"Eldest Senior Brother’s cultivation is profound; this Junior Brother admits defeat."

In the third match, Soaring Wind won! He secured three consecutive victories, tying for the top spot with Fang Hao. The final ranking would depend on the direct confrontation between the two of them.

Nether Child’s Other Battles

Aside from his loss to Soaring Wind, Nether Child’s subsequent performance was commendable. When facing Nether Fiend, the Heavenly Sword Sect’s righteous sword techniques happened to counter the Profound Nether Cult’s sinister techniques. After a fierce battle, he successfully defeated Nether Fiend.

When facing Fairy Ling Yu, Nether Child used his sharp offensive and superior speed to break through the defense of Fairy Ling Yu and the Snow Eagle, winning another match.

Ultimately, Nether Child’s record was two wins and two losses (losing to Soaring Wind and Fang Hao, while defeating Nether Fiend and Fairy Ling Yu), firmly securing third place.

The Predicament of Nether Fiend and Fairy Ling Yu

After losing to Soaring Wind and Fang Hao, Nether Fiend’s morale suffered. He lost again to Nether Child due to the conflict in their Cultivation Techniques. His only victory was obtained from Fairy Ling Yu, whose strength was slightly inferior. His final record was one win and three losses, placing him fourth.

Fairy Ling Yu had poor luck, facing strong enemies one after another. Although her path of beast taming was strong, she appeared somewhat passive when facing top-tier Sword Cultivators or an opponent with many tricks like Fang Hao. Ultimately, she lost four consecutive matches and regretfully placed fifth, but her tacit cooperation with the Snow Eagle and her calm demeanor still won everyone’s respect.

At this point, the basic rankings of the top five were set. All eyes were focused on the final match, the ultimate battle that would determine the champion—Fang Hao VS Soaring Wind!

The Final Showdown: Fang Hao VS Soaring Wind

On the stage, the two stood facing each other. Soaring Wind’s Aura was like a rising tide, with three consecutive wins in hand and his Sword Intent at its Peak. Although Fang Hao also had three wins, he had fought continuously and consumed a massive amount of energy. His face couldn’t hide his exhaustion, yet his eyes remained clear and firm.

"Fang Hao, it wasn’t easy for you to reach this point," Soaring Wind said, acknowledging his opponent. "But the momentum of consecutive victories is in my hands. In this battle, you have no chance of winning."

Fang Hao took a deep breath, suppressing his churning Qi and blood, and said calmly, "Senior Brother Soaring Wind, the outcome is not yet decided; it’s too early to say. Please!"

"Fine!" Soaring Wind said no more. His long sword left its scabbard as he launched the first attack! "Heavenly Sword Art: Startled Swan!"

The Sword Qi was like a glimpse of a startled swan, faster than the limit of the naked eye’s perception, stabbing straight at Fang Hao’s face!

Fang Hao was already on full alert. He instantly performed the Divine Spirit Steps, his figure moving like a ghost to the side, narrowly avoiding the sword’s edge. At the same time, he activated the Starfall Sword Art, his azure steel sword scattering bits of starlight as he counterattacked Soaring Wind’s ribs.

Soaring Wind brought his sword back to parry, the clanging sounds never-ending. The two traded blows rapidly, exchanging over a dozen moves in an instant. Soaring Wind’s sword technique was peerlessly sharp, while Fang Hao’s was agile and varied, mixed with the various mysteries of the Seven Absolutes Sword Seal—the Gold Seal was sharp, the Fire Seal explosive, the Water Seal lingering... making it quite troublesome even for Soaring Wind.

But Soaring Wind’s cultivation was deep after all, and his sword Dao Realm was higher. After dozens of moves, he gradually suppressed Fang Hao. Although the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Scripture could simulate various attributes, it still seemed inadequate in the face of absolute power and the gap in Realms.

"Dividing Light Sword Shadow!" Fang Hao shouted softly, and nine sword shadows split off, attempting to disturb Soaring Wind’s vision.

Soaring Wind sneered, "Flashy but impractical!" His sword light circled like the Milky Way pouring onto the ground, actually crushing all nine sword shadows!

With the pressure increasing, Fang Hao immediately switched to defense. He fully activated the Five Elements Spirit Shield, with five-colored light flowing to withstand Soaring Wind’s tide-like offensive. The shield’s light flickered violently, looking as if it could break at any moment.

"Shrinking the Ground to an Inch!" Fang Hao once again relied on his exquisite movement technique to pull away and avoid a direct confrontation.

"Where do you think you’re going!" Soaring Wind’s movement was also not slow, following like a shadow, the tip of his sword never leaving Fang Hao’s vital points.

Long-term defense would eventually fail. Fang Hao’s spiritual power was consuming extremely fast; at this rate, defeat was only a matter of time. His mind raced, knowing he had to take a risky move.

He intentionally left a flaw, his figure slowing slightly. Soaring Wind indeed fell for it, a sword stabbing out rapidly! Just as the sword tip was about to touch his body, Fang Hao’s Star Shattering Finger suddenly struck—not at Soaring Wind, but at the incoming sword blade!

"Clang!" With a crisp sound, the long sword was knocked several inches aside by the finger’s force. Fang Hao took the opportunity to perform Shrinking the Ground to an Inch again, instantly appearing at Soaring Wind’s side and rear.

"Ethereal Art!" Fang Hao chanted in his heart, his perception of the spatial Dao reaching its limit. Simultaneously, he summoned his Magic Treasure—empty clarity mirror!

"Spatial Imprisonment!" The mirror’s light shone, and the space around Soaring Wind instantly became viscous, his movements suddenly slowing!

Soaring Wind’s expression changed slightly as he channeled all his spiritual power to try and break free. But that split-second delay decided the battle!

Fang Hao condensed all his power into a final blow, the strongest Profound Truth of the Star Shattering Finger—Shattering the Void—and pointed it at Soaring Wind’s right wrist holding the sword! This finger strike contained his entire understanding of spatial power; it was silent and soundless, yet faster than thought!

Soaring Wind felt his wrist go numb as a bizarre force penetrated it, causing the spiritual power flow in his entire arm to instantly stagnate! The long sword almost fell from his hand!

When experts fight, they fight for a split second! Soaring Wind’s old strength was spent, and his new strength was not yet born. Having also suffered this heavy blow, his defense showed a massive opening!

Fang Hao’s sword tip was already lightly touching the front of his throat.

The entire venue fell silent.

Everyone held their breath, looking at the result on the stage in disbelief.

Soaring Wind stared blankly at his numb wrist, then at the sword tip before his throat, his face full of shock and complexity. He lost? He actually lost? In a situation where he held all the advantages, he was reversed by the opponent in such an inconceivable way?

After a moment, he let out a long sigh, dispersed the Sword Qi around him, and said frankly, "Junior Brother Ning’s methods are heaven-defying. This Soaring... is impressed. I lost."

"Thank you for the match, Senior Brother Soaring Wind." Fang Hao sheathed his sword, his body swaying slightly. In this battle, he had given his all.

After a brief silence, the entire plaza erupted into earth-shattering cheers!

"He won! Fang Hao won!"

"First in the Five Sect Martial Competition! A Foundation Establishment Middle Stage took the championship!"

"A miracle! This is a miracle for the Azure Cloud Sect!"

Elder Heart of the Sword flew over, his voice spreading throughout the venue: "The Five Sect Martial Competition concludes here! The champion—Azure Cloud Sect, Fang Hao!"

In the direction of the Azure Cloud Sect, tears shimmered in Liang Ling’s eyes, Lin Wan was jumping and shouting in excitement, and even Bao Zhijian had a complex expression, unable to speak. The Azure Cloud Sect Disciples were even more jubilant, feeling the shared glory!

Fang Hao stood in the center of the stage, bathed in countless gazes of shock, admiration, and envy. From a Servant Disciple to the champion of the Five Sect Martial Competition, he had walked this path for five years. Only he knew the hardships involved.

But this was only a new starting point. The immortal path is long, and his journey has just begun.