C18 Shocking the Entire Audience

Yan Chen, seated at the foot of the steps, had a look of astonishment flash in his eyes. He recognized Chen Dutian's strength but never imagined that this guy had also mastered a formidable skill.

Wang Yuntian, sitting in the chair, shuddered and his mouth fell open in shock. He stared at Chen Dutian on the stage, unable to believe his eyes, as the memory of Chen Dutian executing Chen Huai'en at the Crimson Moon's entrance surfaced in his mind.

"When did this guy get so strong?"

Previously, Wang Yuntian had never considered Chen Dutian a rival. A nobody without a Power Node was doomed to live in his shadow forever.

But at the Crimson Moon's entrance, Wang Yuntian sensed Chen Dutian's transformation for the first time: decisive and overwhelmingly strong! The young master once deemed worthless by all had changed dramatically overnight, stirring a sense of unease in Wang Yuntian.

Equally shocked was the palace guard at the Third Heaven of the Spirit Convergence Realm. His five subordinates, all at the Ninth Heaven of the Awakening Realm, hadn't managed to withstand a single strike from Chen Dutian. A foreboding feeling washed over him, suggesting he might not survive the day.

"Everyone talks up the palace guards' strength, but I find you all rather average," Chen Dutian taunted, landing softly in the arena, his longsword still radiating a chilling gleam. He had only executed the first move of the Starfall Sword technique.

The Starfall Sword was no ordinary skill. Although Chen Dutian was at the Sixth Heaven of the Spirit Convergence Realm, he was unmatched by anyone below the Astral Wandering Realm.

Facing a First Heaven warrior of the Astral Wandering Stage, Chen Dutian still had a good chance of victory, not to mention these palace guards.

"Hmph, I'm eager to see what you've got!" the palace guard at the Third Heaven of the Spirit Convergence Realm retorted, his spiritual energy beginning to surge.

An Awakening Realm warrior's spiritual energy could envelop their body during an attack, while a Spirit Convergence Realm warrior could channel it into their weapon to harm an opponent. Both combatants' longswords gleamed brilliantly, as a deadly aura enveloped the stage.

"Overestimating your own strength!"

Chen Dutian shook his head with a cold laugh, his longsword beginning to tremble, emitting a series of buzzing sounds.

The palace guard, at the Third Heaven of Spirit Convergence, aimed to strike first. With a flick of his longsword, he thrust it violently towards Chen Dutian's chest. The sword, wreathed in spirit energy, reached Chen Dutian in a flash.

"Sword Shattering the Void!"

Chen Dutian leaped over a meter into the air, his longsword enveloped in spirit energy, seemingly alive as it thrust out thrice in rapid succession, creating over ten sword lights in an instant.

"Crack!"

Against overwhelming strength, the palace guard at the Third Heaven of Spirit Convergence didn't even have a chance to block. The sword light left several gashes on his body, his longsword shattered, and he spat out blood before collapsing to his knees on the platform.

The remaining four palace guards couldn't evade the fierce sword light either; each was impaled through the chest.

The venue fell silent. The kneeling palace guard at the Third Heaven of Spirit Convergence slowly looked up at Chen Dutian in disbelief, his purple armor now drenched in blood, realizing he had no strength left to retaliate.

"You are too weak!" Chen Dutian's intense presence subsided as he walked over to the defeated guard, longsword in hand.

"I... I have lost!"

Chen Dutian looked up with a smile, his gaze shifting to the Minister of Rituals on the steps. Xu Hansheng's body shuddered involuntarily, and he quickly announced, "Lord Protector's Heir, Chen Dutian, advances!"

Tossing his longsword aside, Chen Dutian strolled off the platform. A eunuch brought a chair to the foot of the stairs, and Chen Dutian nonchalantly took a seat, casting a half-amused glance at Wang Yuntian, who was visibly tense.

"It seems you won more easily than I did!"

At that moment, Wang Yuntian's forehead was slick with sweat, and under Chen Dutian's piercing gaze, he quickly averted his eyes, not daring to engage in conversation.

In the subsequent bouts, Ling Zechuan, son of the Wei Yuan Great General, and Jiang Daochen, son of the Minister of War, both secured their advancement.

These two were scions of the Yan family and staunch supporters of the Crown Prince. For Chen Dutian to emerge victorious, he would need to best both of them.

"The martial competition continues. Next up are Ling Zechuan and Wang Yuntian!"

After a brief respite, the time it takes to sip a cup of tea, the Minister of Rituals, following Yan Chen's directive, called out the contenders' names with a booming voice.

Ling Zechuan and Wang Yuntian rose simultaneously, but Ling took his place on the stage behind Wang. A hint of amusement flickered at the corner of Chen Dutian's mouth as he turned to the solemn-faced Jiang Daochen and inquired, "Who do you reckon will face me in battle?"

"Mr. Chen, are you so certain of your victory?" Jiang Daochen detected the implication in Chen Dutian's words and responded with a frosty tone.

"I haven't even considered you a challenge!" Chen Dutian shrugged nonchalantly, reclining in his chair with a half-closed gaze.

Jiang Daochen was undeniably powerful, ranking within the top five of his peers.

Yet, Chen Dutian's sheer strength alone far surpassed his, not to mention when martial skills came into play.

"Hmph, don't assume you're the only one who has mastered martial skills, Chen Dutian. We'll see who's superior in the arena soon enough!" Jiang Daochen huffed dismissively and turned away, no longer acknowledging Chen Dutian.

On the stage, Ling Zechuan and Wang Yuntian had commenced their duel, but the disparity in their abilities was clear. Wang Yuntian appeared to yield in favor of Ling Zechuan, and neither combatant resorted to their martial skills. Within a mere half-cup of tea's time, Wang Yuntian voluntarily stepped down, conceding the match.

Chen Dutian wasn't the least bit surprised; Wang Yuntian was no match for him and would only face embarrassment on the stage.

Ling Zechuan, at the Fifth Heaven of the Spirit Convergence Realm, still possessed a fighting chance. If Jiang Daochen could buy him some time, Chen Dutian's path to victory might not be as straightforward as he anticipated.

"Step up to the stage. I'll defeat you with a single move!" Chen Dutian declared, not even waiting for the Minister of Rituals to speak.

Jiang Daochen let out a cold snort and spoke with a deep voice, "Big talk for someone so shameless. All I need to do is outlast you until your spiritual energy runs dry. No matter how formidable you are, you'll be no match for Ling Zechuan then!"

As the two ascended the platform, Yan Beichen, watching from above, couldn't help feeling anxious. Jiang Daochen was the unrivaled top contender among the younger generation, possessing the peak strength of the Fifth Heaven in the Spirit Convergence realm at such a young age. His talent and intelligence were clear indicators of a promising future.

Ling Zechuan, too, was a force to be reckoned with. In his recent bout with Wang Yuntian, he hadn't even resorted to using his skill, clearly conserving his energy for what was to come.

Chen Dutian, though formidable, would likely face a significant challenge in a back-to-back battle with these two. Yan Beichen's brow furrowed with concern. He rose and respectfully addressed Yan Chen, seated upon the throne, "Father, these warriors have been engaged in several consecutive fights. Might they be allowed a brief respite?"

Yan Chen regarded Yan Beichen with an icy gaze and remained silent. It was Yan Nantian who responded with a cold chuckle, "Father intends to choose the commander of the Tiger Army from among these contestants. If they can't withstand several rounds of combat, how can they be expected to lead soldiers in battle?"