Ling Xiao’s mutation, triggered by the formation of his Heavenly Vein, had transformed him. Though the expression of his abilities wasn’t vastly different, their destructive power had greatly increased.
Moreover, he could more easily connect with Heavenly Essence Force, enabling him to unleash even more terrifying techniques.
The problem was, so far, no opponent had forced him to use these techniques.
All his battles had ended with ordinary attacks.
The boost from his Heavenly Human Realm First Layer cultivation was truly fearsome.
The second round of competition concluded amid fierce rivalry. Ling Xiao wasn’t concerned about others, but some from the Moonlight Sect were eliminated.
Leng Hao felt frustrated, but his limited strength meant he couldn’t become one of the fifty Earth Spirits.
Dai Yuling, by sheer luck, barely advanced, the last in her group to qualify.
That was likely her limit.
Lan Yuer and Long Chen advanced with ease.
Ling Xiao, naturally, had no trouble, but Ying Wuya from the Beast King Palace was less fortunate. Though he advanced, his situation was similar to Dai Yuling’s, likely his limit.
The fifty Earth Spirits were more evenly matched, and the chance of facing one of the Six Princes of the Holy Dynasty increased.
After a full hour’s rest, the competition resumed.
This time, the fifty were split into two groups, with the top ten from each advancing to the Heavenly Prodigies.
The groups were reshuffled based on previous performances for balanced distribution, making both groups roughly equal in strength.
Ling Xiao and the Holy Son were not in the same group, but he was grouped with Mo Wushang.
This group had many noteworthy figures, but Ling Xiao wasn’t interested in scrutinising them all. However, one person glared at him with intense killing intent.
It was none other than Jian Wuji, ranked sixth among the Six Princes, formerly a core disciple of the Sword King Sect.
Now a core disciple of the Heavenly Dragon Academy.
At the start of the third round, Jian Wuji displayed astonishing strength, easily defeating Lan Yuer, stealing the spotlight.
During his fight with Lan Yuer, he clearly attacked ruthlessly, aiming to prevent her from continuing.
Fortunately, Lan Yuer was no longer the same. Even against Jian Wuji, she could retreat unscathed.
She lost, true, but not embarrassingly, and without injury.
Yet Jian Wuji’s defeat of Lan Yuer within ten moves caused a sensation.
“As expected, when it comes to strength, the Six Princes of the Holy Dynasty stand out. Those geniuses from before are simply no match for them.”
In subsequent battles, Jian Wuji, as if to prove his dominance, defeated strong opponents with a single move, leaving them no chance to even say “I surrender.”
He aimed to pressure Ling Xiao, showing that no matter how much Ling Xiao tried, he couldn’t surpass him.
Ling Xiao smoothly completed his battles, though he didn’t take Jian Wuji seriously.
But Jian Wuji’s ruthless attack on Lan Yuer left him deeply displeased.
Since this man wanted to be the first Prince to fall, Ling Xiao would oblige him.
The other group’s battles were equally thrilling.
After defeating Dai Yaoling in the second round, Long Chen, in a hard-fought battle, overcame Li Xuefeng.
Li Xuefeng was strong, and Long Chen struggled, but with the dragon race’s formidable defence, he prevailed, securing another valuable victory.
His robust defence gave several of the Six Princes headaches, pondering how to counter him.
The battles in both groups grew increasingly spectacular and intense.
In Group One, Liang Xiao, who had defeated Po Qianjun with his soul fusion technique, lost again, but not unjustly, as he faced Qin Bixue from the Blood Blade Sect.
That wild swordsman sent Liang Xiao off the stage with a single move.
When his blood blade was unsheathed, the entire stage seemed plunged into a terrifying blood pool inferno. Liang Xiao couldn’t even use his levitation technique, unable to move.
Dai Yaoling suffered his second defeat, losing to Bai Qianjiao, ranked third among the Six Princes.
Group One had three Princes: Ji Mingkong, Bai Qianjiao, and Hong Sanmai.
Group Two also had three: Mo Wushang, Liu Taiyin, and Jian Wuji.
So far, every Prince maintained an unbroken winning streak.
This was partly due to their strength, but also because some ensured the Six Princes didn’t meet too early.
While Bai Qianjiao defeated Dai Yaoling, Mo Wushang beat Dao Wuming.
Both from the Heavenly King Sect, Mo Wushang showed no mercy, so Dao Wuming lost decisively, surrendering without a fight.
In that moment, Mo Wushang’s demonic eye at his brow flashed, and Dao Wuming collapsed with a scream, unable to continue.
In Group Two, Liu Taiyin faced a young titan ranked thirteenth in the last Martial Arts Festival.
But against Liu Taiyin, he fell in one move.
The gap was simply too vast.
Liu Taiyin’s terrifying yin fire made his opponent feel as if plunged into hell.
Hong Sanmai’s opponent was a young titan ranked twelfth in the last Martial Arts Festival.
Her martial soul was one of the twelve holy fires, the “True Fire of Sanmai.”
Her domineering attack melted her opponent’s weapon and arm with her flames.
Each battle was spectacular, thrilling the audience to cheers.
In the first and second rounds, many warriors surrendered when facing the Six Princes.
Now, they didn’t.
Surrendering could mean elimination.
Besides, at the fifty Earth Spirits stage, every warrior had strong fighting spirit, rarely conceding easily.
“Group Two, Jian Wuji versus Ling Xiao!”
After a series of battles, the fated duo stepped onto the stage.
As the referee’s voice fell, the stands erupted with fervent excitement.
The rules for the fifty-to-twenty round differed again.
Each competitor had to face all others, advancing based on win count. If wins were equal, the one with fewer losses advanced, as draws were possible.
If still tied, those with equal wins would face off.
Such cases were rare.
Since Ling Xiao and Jian Wuji were in the same group, their clash was inevitable.
“Will the dark horse Ling Xiao prevail, or will Jian Wuji, one of the Six Princes, prove stronger? This battle will decide.”
“Indeed, it’s thrilling. So far, none of the Six Princes have lost. Will Ling Xiao be the first to defeat one?”
