Chapter 31: The Might of the Heaven-Swallowing Art
Lu Xingchen approached Lin Jing and took out a second-grade Rejuvenation Pill from his storage ring, offering it to her.
“Senior Sister Lin Jing, this is a second-grade Rejuvenation Pill. If you take it, your wounds will heal faster.”
Hearing this, Lin Jing was somewhat surprised and looked up at Lu Xingchen.
Training an exceptional alchemist was an enormous investment; no matter the grade, pills were always in short supply. She herself had a few pills but would never use them unless faced with life or death.
And yet, Lu Xingchen was willing to gift a second-grade pill to a stranger.
Was he extravagantly wealthy, or simply reckless?
But since it was offered freely, Lin Jing naturally did not refuse.
She took the Rejuvenation Pill, carefully inspected it to ensure it was not poisoned, and swallowed it in one gulp.
Immediately, a warm current surged through her body, and her complexion visibly brightened.
Lu Xingchen lowered his voice and said, “Senior Sister Lin Jing, I sympathize with your plight and admire your courage. But I believe there is no need to act so recklessly. If I were leading, I would ensure that none of the disciples from the Wuyun Sect would perish, and the Lingxiao Sect’s disciples would emerge unscathed.”
Lin Jing snorted coldly. “Who’s to say you’re telling the truth? I only trust myself. If you want leadership, then defeat me!”
“Very well,” Lu Xingchen replied solemnly.
He then fell silent and retreated to a corner of the arena.
Lu Xingchen checked his system panel.
[Host: Lu Xingchen]
[Realm: Six-Star Martial Artist]
[Experience: 200/700]
[Exchange Points: 520]
[Talents: Eagle Eye (20), Power Strike (20), Frenzy (36), Blade (20), Jade Shatter (30)]
[Mount: Nether Dragon (Second Stage)]
He still had 31 talent points remaining.
Lu Xingchen allocated ten points to "Blade" and twenty points to "Jade Shatter."
[Blade (30): Increases damage when using sword-type weapons by 150 points.]
[Jade Shatter (50): Consumes half of own fighting spirit to increase the next attack’s damage fivefold.]
Facing Lin Jing, Lu Xingchen dared not be careless.
Though the Sacred Son Selection Tournament had been postponed, not a single disciple left the arena. They all wished to witness the birth of the new Sacred Son and see if Lu Xingchen was truly capable or merely putting on a show.
Half a day passed swiftly.
Lin Jing rose and said to Instructor Yi Hong, “Teacher, I’ve recovered.”
Yi Hong was surprised. “So soon?”
Lin Jing smiled lightly. “My foundation was already solid, and with Lu Xingchen’s Rejuvenation Pill, it’s normal to recover faster.”
Yi Hong nodded gently. “If you feel ready, then let the match begin!”
“The third round of the Sacred Son Selection Tournament: Lu Xingchen challenges Lin Jing. The match starts!”
Lu Xingchen immediately activated his fighting spirit, revealing the full power of a six-star martial artist.
Voices of doubt erupted from the audience.
“Less than a month ago, he was a four-star martial artist; now he’s six-star? Lu Xingchen’s cultivation speed surpasses even Senior Brother Lin Xu!”
“What use is that? He’s four sub-levels below Lin Jing; there’s no way he can fight properly.”
“Lu Xingchen is already outstanding; he just lacks time. Given enough time, he might defeat Senior Sister Lin Jing.”
“What’s the point of saying that? Right now, Lu Xingchen simply can’t win!”
Among the crowd, Xiao Yue looked at Lu Xingchen with shock.
A few months ago, he was a useless cripple who couldn’t cultivate, humiliated and rejected by her.
And now?
He was a six-star martial artist with a higher realm than her and even dared challenge Lin Jing.
“When I become a peerless master, I’ll return the engagement to you, making you regret it forever!” Xiao Yue recalled Lu Xingchen’s words on the day of the breakup.
It was no empty threat.
Hu Junfeng stared intently at Lu Xingchen, filled with astonishment.
A month ago, his defeat to Lu Xingchen, who was at a lower realm, could be explained as luck.
But now?
He openly challenged Lin Jing, a ten-star martial artist.
His progress was unbelievably rapid.
Lu Xingchen—was he truly confident or just seeking attention?
Amidst the swirling thoughts, Lu Xingchen activated the “Devour Heaven Technique.”
He seemed to transform into a vortex, draining all spiritual energy within a hundred meters, and his realm soared rapidly.
Seven-star martial artist!
Eight-star martial artist!
Nine-star martial artist!
Ten-star martial artist!
The pinnacle of martial artists!
His fighting spirit intensity surpassed even Lin Jing’s.
Lin Jing was taken aback.
A secret method that temporarily enhances one’s realm!
Lu Xingchen, so this is your confidence.
But don’t think I’ll surrender just because of that.
Such techniques must have time limits. After a few minutes, you’ll enter a weakened state, even more fragile than an ordinary six-star martial artist.
Then I can easily defeat you.
Exclamations rose from the crowd, but Lu Xingchen paid no heed.
All his focus was on the enemy before him.
Lu Xingchen drew his Shadow Sword and charged at Lin Jing; the two clashed at close quarters.
Though Lu Xingchen’s fighting spirit intensity was temporarily stronger, Lin Jing remained calm—she had survived too many life-and-death battles to panic now.
Her defense was flawless; she parried every strike without yielding an inch.
Lu Xingchen’s heart sank.
His “Devour Heaven Technique” would only last ten minutes without any weakness period.
If he couldn’t convert this advantage into victory within ten minutes, he would likely lose.
Without hesitation, Lu Xingchen threw away the Shadow Sword’s scabbard and activated his displacement skill.
His figure immediately grew elusive, flashing rapidly and attacking Lin Jing’s weak points from all sorts of tricky angles.
It was the first time Lin Jing had witnessed the power of the Shadow Sword. Though not panicked, she couldn’t find a solution in the short term.
After only a few dozen moves, three wounds appeared on her body.
Her heart sank as she activated her fighting spirit shield.
The shield formed a circle, enveloping her entire body.
Lu Xingchen’s displacement lost its effect.
No matter how hard he struck, the defense could not be broken.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Xingchen unleashed “Sky-Cleaving Slash” and simultaneously activated “Jade Shatter,” instantly consuming more than half of his fighting spirit.
A white fighting spirit sword blade shot fiercely toward Lin Jing.
Lin Jing did not idle; touching the sword’s edge, a fiery red phoenix coalesced and flew toward Lu Xingchen.
Lu Xingchen’s “Sky-Cleaving Slash” was ranked low on the Mysterious Tier.
Lin Jing’s fiery red phoenix, named “Heavenly Phoenix Greeting the Sun,” was ranked high on the Mysterious Tier.
But Lu Xingchen had a trick!
With the boost of “Jade Shatter,” his Sky-Cleaving Slash split the fiery phoenix in two, then slammed into Lin Jing’s fighting spirit shield.
A flicker of panic crossed Lin Jing’s face as she hurriedly raised her sword to defend and recklessly reinforced her fighting spirit shield.