After the Southern Region advanced as the second-place finisher in points, the focus of the training ground shifted to the showdown between the Eastern and Northern Regions.
The Eastern Region has always been known for its Buddhist sects and sword monasteries. The top expert participating this time is Master Xuanku from the "Great Thunderclap Temple". Despite his young age, Xuanku has already mastered the Buddhist "Indestructible Vajra Body". It is said that he once withstood an attack from a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator without being injured. Among those of the same level, no one can break through his defense. He is recognized as the "Iron Wall" in the Eastern Region.
"Have you heard? Master Xuanku's Vajra Body is so powerful that even magical treasures can't break it!"
“I’ve seen him fight. During the Eastern Region Trial, three early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators attacked him for half an hour, and they couldn’t even tear his cassock!”
"This is going to be interesting. No matter how strong Ling Chen is from the Northern Region, he can't just cleave through the Vajra Body with a single sword strike, can he?"
Amidst the audience's discussions, most favored Xuan Ku—after all, the Vajra Body's defensive power was too heaven-defying, almost unbeatable among those of the same level.
The one representing the Northern Region was naturally Ling Chen.
When he stepped onto the arena, he was still dressed in white, holding his long sword casually in his hand. His aura was calm, yet it exuded a sword intent that brought peace to the mind, which contrasted sharply with Xuan Ku's heavy and imposing presence.
"Ling Chen from the Northern Region, I humbly request your guidance, Master." Ling Chen nodded slightly, his tone calm.
Xuan Ku clasped his hands together, his appearance solemn and dignified: "Amitabha, please, benefactor." A golden light flashed around him, and a layer of light golden halo enveloped his entire body. It was the Vajra Indestructible Body. Even his hair had a metallic luster, and it was clear at a glance that his defensive power was amazing.
"Then I shall make a fool of myself." Ling Chen said nothing more, and moved slightly.
Without any earth-shattering momentum or complicated sword moves, he simply thrust out his sword lightly.
The sword light was faint, like moonlight brushing across the water's surface. It seemed light and airy, yet it carried an indescribable "momentum," pointing directly at the golden light in front of Xuan Ku's chest.
Xuan Ku frowned slightly, but did not dodge—he had absolute confidence in his Vajra Body, and could withstand not only this light sword strike, but even a magical weapon attack.
"bite--"
The moment the sword tip collided with the golden light, there was no loud noise as expected, only a clear, soft ringing.
The next second, the entire venue fell silent.
The pale golden sword light pierced through Xuan Ku's Vajra body as easily as piercing thin paper, the sword tip stopping precisely half an inch in front of his chest. A strand of hair was severed by the sword wind and slowly drifted down.
Xuan Ku's solemn expression froze instantly. He looked down at the golden light piercing his chest, then at Ling Chen's sword, his eyes filled with disbelief. He subconsciously raised his hand to touch his chest; the golden light there had dimmed, and a tiny hole had indeed been torn in!
"This...this is impossible!" Xuan Ku exclaimed in shock. He had cultivated the Vajra Body for more than ten years and had never had his defenses broken by someone of the same level, let alone so easily!
Ling Chen sheathed his longsword and said calmly, "Although the Vajra Body is strong, it has the flaw of 'intention'. Although your golden light is condensed, it lacks a bit of 'emptiness'. My sword is aimed at that 'emptiness'."
Xuan Ku stood there, stunned, muttering, "The flaw in intent... the emptiness..." He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with awe as he looked at Ling Chen, "Your swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle, Xuan Ku... concedes defeat."
Although he was unharmed, he understood that his swordsmanship was far inferior to Ling Chen's. This sword strike shattered not only his indestructible body but also his preconceived notions about "defense."
"Lingchen of the Northern Region wins!" The voice of the old cultivator presiding over the ceremony broke the silence.
The crowd erupted in cheers that were more enthusiastic than ever before!
"One sword strike shatters the Vajra Body! Senior Brother Ling Chen is too amazing!"
"This is the true way of the sword! Overcoming clumsiness with skill, making heavy things seem light!"
"Sword Saint! He's destined to be a Sword Saint!"
The cultivators from the Northern Region were so excited that their faces turned red, and their eyes were filled with fervor as they looked at Ling Chen—with such a genius leading the way, the future of the Northern Region was limitless.
Although the cultivators from the Eastern Region were disappointed, they were also convinced of the defeat – such a sword deserved its loss.
Xuan Ku bowed deeply to Ling Chen, then turned and walked off the stage. His back looked lonely, but he seemed to have gained a deeper understanding—this sword strike today might allow his Vajra Body to reach a higher level.
Ling Chen stood on the arena, his gaze passing over the crowd, meeting Xiao Chen's eyes across the distance from the Southern Region team.
One is the Northern Sword Master, who can break through Vajra with a single sword and is hailed as the future Sword Saint;
One is a spear fanatic from the Southern Region, who can slay the Black Water Dragon with his spear and overwhelm all others with his points.
Their eyes met in mid-air, without hostility, yet carrying a silent contest—a mutual respect between top geniuses, and an anticipation of the final showdown.
"Eastern Region versus Northern Region, Northern Region wins!" the old cultivator announced loudly. "With this, the second round of the arena competition has ended, and the Southern Region and the Northern Region have advanced to the final battle!"
On the drill ground, the atmosphere reached another climax.
Xuan Ku conceded defeat and withdrew, leaving only Ling Chen on the arena.
He didn't leave. His white robes fluttered in the wind. His gaze swept over the crowd and landed directly on Xiao Chen, who was standing in front of the Southern Region team. His clear voice echoed throughout the entire arena: "Xiao Chen, come up and fight."
These five simple words were like a boulder thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting the training ground!
"Senior Brother Ling Chen is going to challenge Xiao Chen?"
"Are you crazy? He just broke through the Vajra Body, his spiritual power must be depleted, why is he in such a hurry to fight?"
"And... he said he wanted to fight Xiao Chen? Does he think Xiao Chen's strength is about the same as his?"
A chorus of doubts and exclamations arose. In most people's eyes, Ling Chen was the number one genius in the Northern Region, who shattered the Vajra Body with a single sword strike, and whose swordsmanship had reached the pinnacle; while Xiao Chen, although ranked first in points and defeated the Gray Fiend with his spear, was ultimately only at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, how could he possibly be compared to Ling Chen, who was at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm?
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