The Heavenly Arena had become quieter after the previous battles.
The disciples who remained in the tournament were no longer ordinary competitors. Each duel now carried greater tension, because everyone understood something important.
From this point onward, every opponent was dangerous.
Every mistake could mean elimination.
The massive stone tablet at the center of the arena glowed again, slowly revealing the next match.
The crowd leaned forward eagerly.
When the names appeared, whispers immediately spread.
Lin Feng vs Wu Kang
Several disciples reacted instantly.
"Wu Kang?"
"That guy is extremely strong!"
"He's already at the peak of the Celestial Realm."
Wu Kang stepped forward from the participant area.
He was a large man with broad shoulders and a powerful presence. His heavy boots echoed across the stone floor as he walked toward the arena.
A massive sword rested across his back.
Unlike Zhao Liang's weapon earlier in the tournament, Wu Kang's sword looked far more refined. The blade was wide and dark, with faint runes engraved along its surface.
His aura radiated pure strength.
Wu Kang stepped onto the arena and crossed his arms while waiting.
Lin Feng walked forward calmly.
The spectators immediately focused on the battlefield.
Many had already heard about Lin Feng's earlier victories.
But facing someone like Wu Kang was completely different.
Wu Kang studied Lin Feng carefully.
"So you're the one people have been talking about."
Lin Feng nodded slightly.
Wu Kang chuckled.
"I watched your previous match."
"You have good technique."
He pulled the large sword from his back and rested it on his shoulder.
"But technique alone won't defeat me."
Lin Feng remained calm.
He slowly drew his own sword.
The slender blade glowed faintly under the sunlight.
The contrast between the two swords was obvious.
Wu Kang's weapon represented overwhelming power.
Lin Feng's represented precision.
High above the arena, the Grand Elder raised his hand.
"Begin."
Wu Kang attacked immediately.
His massive sword swung downward with incredible force.
"Earth Splitter!"
The blade struck the arena floor.
BOOM.
The stone cracked violently as a shockwave spread outward.
But Lin Feng had already moved.
His body shifted lightly to the side, avoiding the attack by a narrow margin.
Wu Kang swung again.
And again.
Each strike carried immense destructive power.
The spectators gasped as the arena floor shattered under the repeated blows.
Lin Feng continued moving calmly.
He stepped between the attacks like flowing water.
Every movement was minimal.
Efficient.
But Wu Kang wasn't discouraged.
Instead, his grin widened.
"Let's see how long you can keep dodging!"
He suddenly accelerated.
His sword descended with terrifying speed.
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened.
This time
He raised his sword.
CLANG.
The two blades collided.
The impact echoed across the arena.
Wu Kang's eyes widened slightly.
Lin Feng hadn't just blocked the attack.
He had perfectly matched the timing of the strike.
The massive sword's momentum was partially redirected.
Wu Kang stepped forward again.
The duel intensified instantly.
Wu Kang unleashed a series of powerful strikes, each one stronger than the last.
Lin Feng responded with precise sword movements.
Instead of meeting the heavy blade directly, he angled his sword slightly with every clash.
Redirecting.
Deflecting.
Controlling.
This was the essence of the Azure Sword Art.
Several experienced disciples watching the match immediately noticed the difference.
"He's not fighting with strength…"
"He's controlling the rhythm of the battle."
Even the elders above the arena exchanged glances.
Wu Kang roared and leapt forward.
"Mountain Crusher!"
His sword descended with overwhelming force.
Lin Feng finally attacked.
His blade flashed forward.
The movement was smooth and natural.
"Azure Flow."
A faint azure light followed the sword's edge.
The strike intercepted Wu Kang's attack at the perfect angle.
CLANG.
Wu Kang suddenly felt his own strength pushing his sword off course.
Before he could recover
Lin Feng stepped forward.
His sword moved again.
A fast diagonal cut.
Wu Kang blocked.
But the impact forced him backward.
The crowd gasped.
"That's the first time Wu Kang has been pushed back!"
Wu Kang's expression darkened.
"You're better than I thought."
He tightened his grip on the massive sword.
"Then let's stop playing around."
His aura suddenly exploded outward.
Spiritual energy surged through the arena.
The runes on his sword began glowing.
Wu Kang raised the blade high above his head.
"Titan Breaker!"
The massive weapon descended like a falling mountain.
The pressure alone caused cracks to spread across the arena floor.
Many spectators held their breath.
But Lin Feng didn't retreat.
Instead, he stepped forward.
His eyes became extremely focused.
The world around him seemed to slow.
Wu Kang's sword descended.
Lin Feng's blade moved.
"Azure Sword Art… Second Flow."
The strike was incredibly precise.
Instead of blocking the massive blade directly, Lin Feng's sword slid along its edge.
The movement redirected the force sideways.
Wu Kang's attack slammed into the arena floor.
BOOM.
The impact created a large crater.
But Lin Feng had already moved behind him.
His sword flashed.
A thin line appeared across Wu Kang's shoulder.
Wu Kang froze.
The blade rested lightly against his neck.
Silence filled the arena.
The duel had ended.
The Grand Elder spoke calmly.
"Victory… Lin Feng."
The crowd erupted with excitement.
"That fight was incredible!"
"He defeated Wu Kang!"
"And he barely used any power!"
Wu Kang stood still for a moment before letting out a deep breath.
Then he laughed.
"Your sword is impressive."
Lin Feng lowered his blade and sheathed it.
"You're strong."
Wu Kang nodded and stepped off the arena.
As Lin Feng walked back toward the participant area, many disciples looked at him with new respect.
Even the stronger competitors had begun paying serious attention.
Among them was the masked swordsman.
He stood silently near the edge of the platform.
His gaze followed Lin Feng.
For the first time since the tournament began.
The masked man's eyes narrowed slightly.
Because he had recognized something.
Lin Feng's sword style was extremely refined.
Too refined.
It carried the aura of an ancient sword path.
Something far older than the techniques of the Heavenly Sword Palace.
Above the arena, the Grand Elder also watched Lin Feng carefully.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"That boy…"
"…is finally starting to reveal himself."
The tournament was far from over.
But one thing had become clear.
Lin Feng was no longer an unnoticed participant.
He had become one of the strongest contenders for victory.
And the path ahead would only become more dangerous.
Because soon
The strongest swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Palace would begin clashing.