The Sword Intent Trial had ended, but the atmosphere in the Heavenly Arena had only grown more intense.
Only a small group of disciples remained.
These were the true elites.
Every one of them had walked through the pressure of countless ancient sword masters and reached the pillar at the center of the trial platform.
Now, the tournament would enter its most brutal stage.
Above the arena, the Grand Elder slowly stepped forward once more.
His gaze swept across the remaining participants.
Only twenty disciples stood in the participant area now.
Each one carried the aura of a formidable sword cultivator.
"The second stage is complete," the Grand Elder said calmly.
"From this point onward, every match will be a direct duel."
His words echoed across the arena.
"The winner advances."
"The loser is eliminated."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
The real battles were finally beginning.
The stone tablet at the center of the arena began glowing again.
Names appeared one after another.
The first duel of the new stage had been decided.
Two disciples stepped forward immediately.
One was a tall young man with sharp eyes and long dark hair tied behind his head.
The other was shorter but radiated an extremely cold aura.
Many spectators instantly recognized them.
"Zhao Tian!"
"And Luo Han!"
"These two are both among the strongest inner disciples!"
Excitement spread through the arena.
The two competitors stepped onto the battlefield and faced each other.
Zhao Tian drew a long curved sword.
The blade shimmered with a faint crimson glow.
Luo Han's sword was thinner and pale blue, releasing a cold mist into the air.
The Grand Elder raised his hand.
"Begin."
The moment the signal fell
Both swordsmen moved.
Zhao Tian attacked first.
His body surged forward like a blazing meteor.
"Flame Dragon Slash!"
His sword cut downward with explosive force.
The air itself seemed to ignite.
But Luo Han reacted instantly.
His blade flashed upward.
"Ice Mirror Guard!"
CLANG!
The two swords collided violently.
Flames and frost exploded outward, sending waves of energy across the arena.
The spectators gasped.
"That's terrifying!"
"They're both using advanced techniques already!"
Zhao Tian pressed the attack relentlessly.
His sword movements became faster and more aggressive.
Flaming arcs of sword energy swept across the battlefield.
Each strike carried tremendous destructive force.
But Luo Han was equally skilled.
His cold sword aura moved like flowing water.
Every time Zhao Tian attacked, Luo Han redirected the force with perfect timing.
The battle intensified.
Sword lights flashed again and again.
Stone fragments scattered across the arena floor.
Lin Feng watched carefully from the participant area.
His eyes remained calm as he studied the duel.
Zhao Tian relied on overwhelming offensive power.
Every strike was designed to crush his opponent.
Luo Han, on the other hand, focused on defense and counterattacks.
Two completely different sword paths.
Suddenly
Zhao Tian roared and leapt into the air.
His sword burst into blazing flames.
"Crimson Heaven Breaker!"
The blade descended like a falling star.
The heat alone caused the air to distort.
Luo Han's expression tightened.
He raised his sword.
"Ice Barrier!"
A wall of frozen sword energy appeared in front of him.
The two techniques collided.
BOOOOM!
The explosion shook the entire arena.
Smoke and frost filled the battlefield.
For several seconds, no one could see what had happened.
Then the smoke slowly cleared.
Both disciples were still standing.
But Luo Han had taken several steps backward.
A thin line of blood appeared on his shoulder.
Zhao Tian smiled faintly.
"I win."
Before Luo Han could respond
Zhao Tian's sword flashed once more.
A precise thrust aimed directly at Luo Han's chest.
Luo Han froze.
He knew he couldn't block it in time.
The blade stopped inches from his body.
The Grand Elder spoke.
"Victory… Zhao Tian."
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"That battle was incredible!"
"They're definitely top contenders!"
Zhao Tian sheathed his sword and stepped down from the arena calmly.
Luo Han followed shortly after, accepting his defeat.
The next matches began quickly.
One after another, powerful disciples clashed on the battlefield.
Each duel revealed incredible techniques.
Sword energy carved deep scars into the ancient arena floor.
Lin Feng continued watching quietly.
Every battle taught him something new.
Some sword cultivators emphasized power.
Others focused on speed.
But the most dangerous ones combined both.
Then the stone tablet glowed again.
Another match appeared.
The crowd immediately fell silent.
Masked Swordsman vs Chen Yu.
Chen Yu stepped onto the arena with a confident smile.
He was known for his extremely fast sword technique.
Many believed he could reach the later rounds of the tournament.
Across from him, the masked swordsman stood silently.
His dark robes fluttered slightly in the wind.
The Grand Elder raised his hand.
"Begin."
Chen Yu attacked instantly.
His sword blurred like lightning.
"Wind Shadow Strike!"
Multiple sword images appeared as he rushed forward.
To most spectators, it looked like several blades attacking at once.
But the masked swordsman simply raised his sword.
His movement was almost lazy.
The blade moved once.
A single strike.
CLANG.
Chen Yu's attack shattered instantly.
Before Chen Yu could react
The masked swordsman's sword had already reached his throat.
The entire arena froze.
Another one-move victory.
The Grand Elder's voice echoed calmly.
"Victory… Masked Swordsman."
Shock spread through the crowd.
"That's the second opponent he defeated instantly!"
"Who is that guy?!"
Even some of the stronger disciples frowned.
That strike had been too clean.
Too precise.
The masked swordsman calmly sheathed his sword and stepped off the arena.
For a brief moment
His eyes met Lin Feng's again.
Neither spoke.
But both understood something.
Sooner or later…
Their swords would meet.
Above the arena, the elders whispered among themselves.
"That masked disciple is extremely dangerous."
"Yes."
"But Lin Feng is also hiding his strength."
The Grand Elder watched both of them quietly.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"This tournament…"
"…is becoming very interesting."
Back in the participant area, Lin Feng rested his hand lightly on his sword.
The wind swept across the arena.
More battles were coming.
Stronger opponents.
Sharper swords.
But Lin Feng's expression remained calm.
For a sword cultivator, battle was not something to fear.
It was the path toward mastery.
And this tournament…
Was only the beginning.