Soon, Zhao Letian and Zhao Lingshan both stepped onto the stage simultaneously. Zhao Lingshan was dressed in a beautiful purple gown, with a graceful figure and a coldly exquisite face, which left many young men in the audience utterly enchanted. Zhao Letian, on the other hand, was clad in a neat, simple white robe, looking handsome. Many young women in the audience also revealed infatuated expressions.

"Indeed, the two most talented individuals of the Zhao Family, both are outstanding in their own right."

"Yeah, Zhao Letian does seem quite a match for Zhao Lingshan."

"It's just a pity that Zhao Letian's martial foundations are damaged, which means his future prospects are incredibly limited, and he can no longer be mentioned in the same breath as Zhao Lingshan."

Before the two had even made their moves, the crowd was already discussing amongst themselves.

"In this battle, Lingshan will surely win. I shall congratulate elder brother in advance," Zhao Second Master said with a smile on the chairman's stand.

"Indeed, how can Zhao Letian compare with our niece Lingshan, who has mastered Xuan-level Martial Techniques?" Zhao Third Master also nodded in agreement.

"Lingshan has a bigger chance of winning, but we must not take it lightly. After all, Zhao Letian is not weak," Zhao Wuji said calmly.

Not far away, Zhao Yixin's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, feeling a bit anxious. Although she hoped her son Zhao Letian could win, Zhao Lingshan possessed a Xuan-level Martial Technique, which made her extremely powerful; she had no certainty at all whether her son could win.

At the same time, the crowd watching the battle below, including Zhao Shijie and Zhao Hongyu, were even more optimistic about Zhao Lingshan. This was not only because Zhao Lingshan had mastered a Xuan-level Martial Technique but more importantly, Zhao Lingshan was their only hope. If even Zhao Lingshan could not defeat Zhao Letian, then Zhao Letian would be able to defend the glory of the past and continue the legend of the Zhao Family's talented prodigy. This was something everyone was unwilling to see; they preferred to witness the fall of a genius, which would give them a sense of balance as ordinary individuals.

"Zhao Letian, I did not expect you to make it to the final showdown and stand on the same stage as me. Your performance has been quite good, and you haven't brought shame to our Zhao Family. Therefore, I do not wish for you to lose too badly. Admit defeat on your own and step down. That way, you, once the proud scion of the Zhao Family, can still preserve some dignity," Zhao Lingshan looked at Zhao Letian opposite her and said in a condescending tone. In her view, even though Zhao Letian's strength displayed today was unexpectedly formidable, at best, it was only equivalent to Zhao Shijie's level. Against her, who had mastered a Xuan-level Martial Technique, he still stood no chance.

"Do you think just because you have mastered a Xuan-level Martial Technique, you are invincible? I will make you understand how ignorant and ridiculous your so-called confidence is," Zhao Letian said with a light smile, his voice calm.

"You dare to call my confidence ignorant and ridiculous? Fine, I will use my strength to show you who is truly ignorant!" Zhao Lingshan's stunning face suddenly darkened, and she immediately drew the green leather whip from her waist. Being as proud as she was, even facing Zhao Letian at his peak, she never felt she was much lesser, but now, facing Zhao Letian, who was only at the Primordial Martial Seventh Realm, daring to call her ignorant, how could she not be furious?

"Xuan-level Martial Technique, is it? I hope it won't disappoint me," Zhao Letian mused for a moment, then a sharp light flashed in his eyes, as a three-inch long white sword light suddenly surged from his fingertips.

"Don't worry, it will certainly satisfy you. Spiritual Snake Mysterious Whip, strike!" Zhao Lingshan coldly shouted, swinging her long whip, which coiled like a venomous snake hurtling towards Zhao Letian.

"One Sword, With the Wind!"

Zhao Letian's expression grew solemn, as he channeled the power of the Second Armor. In an instant, his figure flickered, splitting into six white afterimages. Wielding the sword's radiance, he enveloped Zhao Lingshan from six different directions.

"Hmph! Your swordsmanship is not bad, but it's useless in front of me!" Zhao Lingshan sneered disdainfully and with a flick of her wrist, her long whip suddenly expanded and spun, instantly shredding the six afterimages of Zhao Letian's assault, and ultimately, the whip ferociously lashed upon the very tip of Zhao Letian's swordlight.

"Boom!"

The two attacks collided, and a powerful wave of energy instantly spread out. Zhao Letian felt an overwhelming and terrifying force from the whip, rushing into his body through his arm—immediately dealing severe damage to his internal organs, causing him to spurt a mouthful of fresh blood. His legs slid backward on the platform, retreating all the way to the edge of the arena before he could finally stop with difficulty.

"What about now, are you satisfied?" Zhao Lingshan looked coldly at Zhao Letian, who was half-kneeling on the ground, his face pale and a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth, and said indifferently.

Zhao Letian didn't say anything but revealed a bitter and helpless smile. Then, he wiped the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth and resolutely stood up.

This round was a loss for him, but it was an inevitable outcome. After all, his cultivation level was two levels lower than Zhao Lingshan. With his Primordial Martial Seventh Realm cultivation and the power of the Second Armor, he could match someone just entering the Primordial Martial Ninth Realm, and with his self-created swordsmanship, even contend against those at the early stages of Primordial Martial Ninth Realm. However, Zhao Lingshan, just entering the Primordial Martial Ninth Realm, could rival a Peak of Primordial Martial Ninth Realm fighter through wielding a Xuan-level Martial Technique. Naturally, he couldn't resist. If their cultivation levels were the same, then it would have been Zhao Lingshan at a disadvantage. Thе mоst up‑tо‑dаtе vеrsiоn is оn

"Hmph! Overestimating yourself!" Zhao Shijie sneered disdainfully from below the platform. Even though he had lost to Zhao Lingshan, he still believed he was stronger than Zhao Letian. Zhao Letian had dared to directly resist a move that even he would not dare to face head-on; it was simply a death wish. Spitting blood was just the consequence of his own actions.

At the same time, the crowd, seeing Zhao Letian finally falter and bleed for the first time, their faces showed the long-awaited smiles. It seemed that Zhao Letian, whose cultivation had fallen, was no longer the heavenly pride of the Zhao Family. The halo of a favored son of the heavens was about to be stripped away.

Especially notable were Master Liu, Master Sun, the three brothers Zhao Wuji, as well as the younger family members like Zhao Hongyu, Zhao Zihao, and Zhao Kang. They were smiling exceptionally joyfully, as if there was nothing more exciting to them than seeing Zhao Letian injured. If possible, they even wished Zhao Letian would fall right there.

At this moment, only Zhao Letian's mother, Zhao Yixin, showed a worried expression. After all, when the son is injured, it is the mother's heart that aches. She would rather be hurt herself than see her son injured. However, she also understood that sometimes, scars are necessary evidence of a man's growth, badges of honor for a warrior, so as long as there was no real threat to her son's safety, she did not intend to intervene.

"Worthy of a Xuan-level Martial Technique, indeed very strong. But, if you think such a degree of attack can defeat me, then you are greatly underestimating the meaning behind the heavenly pride of the Zhao Family, the number one external disciple of the Galaxy Sect." Zhao Letian's gaze was firm, his demeanor proud as he stepped towards Zhao Lingshan. Once more, the dazzling white swordlight surged from his fingertips and slowly raised above his head. During this process, the three-inch-long white swordlight grew longer and emitted an indescribable, terrifying aura.

"Clang! Clang! Clang..."

At the same time, the swords carried by the people in the audience, as if drawn by some mysterious force, began to shake uncontrollably, seemingly eager to break free from their scabbards and take flight on their own.

"Sword... Sword intent! He has actually mastered sword intent!"

Suddenly, as if seeing a ghost, someone exclaimed in disbelief.