Chapter 57: Defeating Ling Zhan!

"Hmph! How dare you speak so arrogantly! Everyone who underestimated me has perished by my blade, and you will be no exception!" Ling Zhan roared as he swiftly closed in on Xiao Chen, transforming into a black streak.

"Ding!"

Xiao Chen also approached Ling Zhan at an incredible speed. The collision of their sword and blade produced a sharp metallic sound, scattering sparks and spreading a powerful force in all directions. The stage's stones were instantly pulverized.

"You underestimate me!" Xiao Chen sneered.

"Enough talk! Fiery Blade Technique!" Ling Zhan shouted, unleashing a powerful blade technique. His large blade launched a barrage of swift and deadly attacks, each strike ruthless and precise.

"Chaos Sword Technique!" Xiao Chen countered, his movements swift and precise, with endless variations in his swordsmanship.

"Ding ding ding!"

Their battle was a fierce clash of raw power, with the sound of metal clashing constantly and sparks flying everywhere. Waves of strong energy spread out like raging tides, making the spectators below extremely tense and filled with cold sweat.

"Their strength is terrifying! This isn't just a competition; it's a life-and-death battle! I'm glad I forfeited, or I'd be dead for sure," Lei Fei said, trembling uncontrollably from fear.

In the attic, Liu Yuntian was shocked as he watched Ling Zhan, exclaiming, "An Earth-level blade technique! Ling Zhan actually possesses an Earth-level martial skill!"

"What? An Earth-level martial skill? How is that possible? Could Ling Zhan really be a disciple from a major power in the Tianyue Continent?" the injured Liu Feng said, stunned.

"Xiao Chen, hang in there!" Mo Yan said worriedly, torn between wanting Xiao Chen to defeat Ling Zhan and fearing for Xiao Chen's safety.

"Go, Xiao Chen!" Su Gutian and others cheered silently for Xiao Chen, all of them hating Ling Zhan and not wanting him to take first place in the competition.

"Ding!"

After several minutes of intense battle, both fighters had sustained several wounds, with blood seeping from their injuries. Finally, they clashed fiercely again, their weapons connecting with a loud sound before they separated and retreated.

"Xiao Chen, I told you, I won't give you any chances!" Ling Zhan shouted, immediately charging at Xiao Chen again as soon as his feet touched the ground.

"I don't need you to give me any chances; you should keep them for yourself!" Xiao Chen retorted coldly, charging forward before his feet even touched the ground.

Ling Zhan channeled his true essence into his blade, not releasing it but holding it within the blade. As he swung his blade at Xiao Chen, the latter's face changed upon realizing the concentrated power could explode instantly, making it impossible for him to withstand it.

"He can condense true essence within his blade!" Xiao Chen was alarmed, knowing he couldn't take the hit directly as Ling Zhan's strength was too great. Moreover, Xiao Chen hadn't yet mastered condensing power within his sword.

"Die!" Ling Zhan shouted, sweeping his blade horizontally as he neared Xiao Chen.

"Evade!" Xiao Chen calmly sank into the ground, narrowly avoiding Ling Zhan's attack.

"Hmph! Trying the same trick again? It won't work on me!" Ling Zhan scoffed, leaping into the air to avoid Xiao Chen's underground assault.

"Xiao Chen, come out and face me! Hiding is cowardly!" Ling Zhan called out from above.

"I'm not hiding. It's you who's afraid, flying up there," Xiao Chen mocked, emerging halfway from the ground.

"You!" Ling Zhan was furious but had no retort, knowing he had flown up to avoid a sneak attack from Xiao Chen.

"Haha! Well said!" Su Gutian laughed, feeling satisfied, as did the crowd below.

"Xiao Chen!" Ling Zhan seethed with rage, almost spitting fire from his eyes. He channeled his true essence into his blade, causing it to emit a dazzling purple light and a powerful aura.

"Swish!"

Ling Zhan tightly gripped his blade and slashed downward, sending a two-meter-long purple blade of energy streaking towards Xiao Chen on the stage.

"The blade energy is even more terrifying than before!" Ge Tianming exclaimed in fear as everyone watched the blade's descent with dread.

"Xiao Chen, watch out!" Su Gutian shouted.

"Xiao Chen, be careful! That blade energy is too powerful! Dodge it quickly, you won't have time to counter!" the Ancient White Tiger warned urgently.

Xiao Chen, realizing the danger, quickly moved aside to avoid the attack, knowing he couldn't block it without sustaining severe injuries.

"Boom!"

The powerful purple blade energy struck the stage, causing a massive explosion and creating a crater that nearly covered the entire stage. Xiao Chen was thrown back by the blast's shockwave, his internal organs churning.

As the explosion's energy dissipated, the stage was left with a large pit, its destructive power shocking everyone.

"Ling Zhan's power is terrifying! The stage is destroyed!" the injured Liu Feng exclaimed, now fearful of Ling Zhan's strength.

The onlookers were stunned into silence, gazing at the massive crater on the stage, too frightened to speak.

"Xiao Chen, watch out!" the Ancient White Tiger warned as Ling Zhan launched another attack.

"What?" Xiao Chen turned just in time to see Ling Zhan closing in.

"Xiao Chen, die!" Ling Zhan roared, striking Xiao Chen with his blade and sending him flying again, blood spraying from his mouth. He barely avoided falling out of the stage's boundary.

"Xiao Chen!" Mo Yan turned pale with worry.

"Damn it! Xiao Chen's hurt again!" Su Gutian was anxious.

"Ling Zhan's true essence seems endless! Even after such a long battle, he still has this much power!" Shi Yu said, worried that Xiao Chen might lose, bringing disgrace to Tian Du.

After striking Xiao Chen, Ling Zhan quickly soared into the air again, channeling all his power into his blade.

"Xiao Chen, take this! I'll make sure you are utterly destroyed!" Ling Zhan roared, infusing his blade with his full strength, causing it to glow purple.

"What? He can still muster such power?" Ge Tianming was shocked.

"Xiao Chen, run! You'll die if you stay!" Mo Yan shouted, desperate.

"It's over! Ling Zhan's power is too great! Xiao Chen can't win," Su Gutian despaired, convinced Xiao Chen was doomed after being injured twice by Ling Zhan.

"Fiery Blade Technique! Earth-Shattering Strike!" Ling Zhan roared, slashing down with all his strength.

"Swish!"

A larger blade of energy shot towards Xiao Chen with unstoppable force, terrifying everyone.

"Xiao Chen, get up!" the Ancient White Tiger shouted urgently.

"I can't lose! I must defeat him!" Xiao Chen gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with determination. He channeled all his true essence into his sword, which emitted a silver-white light and a powerful aura.

"Chaos Sword Technique! Sky-Splitting Slash!" Xiao Chen roared, unleashing all his power into his sword, slashing upwards.

Everyone was stunned by the power radiating from Xiao Chen's sword.

"Boom!"

"Spurt!"

"Ah!"

The two powerful energies collided and exploded, the shockwave causing both Xiao Chen and Ling Zhan to spit blood. Xiao Chen was knocked flat onto the stage, while Ling Zhan was flung out of the ring, landing outside its boundary.

Everyone's eyes turned to Ling Zhan, who had fallen outside the ring, marking Xiao Chen's victory.