By the time the afternoon sun hung high above the mountains of the Heavenly Sword Palace, the atmosphere around the Heavenly Arena had completely transformed.
What had begun as a grand competition among hundreds of eager disciples had now become something far more intense.
Only eight competitors remained.
Eight swordsmen who had endured the brutal elimination rounds, the overwhelming Sword Intent Trial, and numerous fierce duels.
Each of them was now recognized as a true elite among the sect's younger generation.
The stands surrounding the arena were packed with spectators.
Outer disciples, inner disciples, elders, and even a few wandering cultivators who had heard about the tournament had gathered to witness the final battles.
But among the eight remaining competitors, one name had become the focus of countless conversations.
Lin Feng.
Just a few days ago, many disciples barely knew who he was. Some only recognized him as the quiet cultivator who trained alone on Silent Sword Peak.
Now, after defeating several strong opponents—including the formidable Wu Kang—Lin Feng had become the most talked-about figure in the tournament.
Whispers spread through the stands like wildfire.
"That's him."
"The Dark Horse of the tournament."
"I still don't understand where his sword style comes from."
"It's not like the techniques taught in the Heavenly Sword Palace."
"He barely wastes any movement when he fights."
Several senior disciples watched Lin Feng carefully from their seats.
To experienced swordsmen, Lin Feng's battles revealed something extraordinary.
His sword was not flashy.
His attacks did not explode with overwhelming energy.
Instead, every strike was precise, efficient, and perfectly timed.
It was the sword of someone who understood the essence of combat.
Among the crowd, a group of inner disciples whispered excitedly.
"If he wins another match, he'll reach the semifinals."
"That would be unbelievable."
"Imagine… someone who trained alone defeating the strongest disciples of the sect."
The rumors spread rapidly.
Some people called him a genius.
Others believed he had simply been hiding his strength.
But everyone agreed on one thing.
Lin Feng had become the Dark Horse of the Heavenly Sword Tournament.
Despite the attention surrounding him, Lin Feng himself remained calm.
He stood quietly in the participant area, his hands resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.
His breathing was steady.
His mind focused.
For Lin Feng, the tournament was not about fame.
It was simply another step on his path as a sword cultivator.
Every opponent taught him something new.
Every battle refined his understanding of the Azure Sword Art.
He watched the arena silently as the next duel ended.
Two powerful disciples stepped down from the battlefield, both exhausted after an intense clash.
The stone tablet at the center of the arena began glowing again.
The next match was about to be announced.
A hush fell across the crowd.
Everyone leaned forward eagerly.
Slowly, two names appeared on the glowing surface.
Lin Feng.
And beneath it,
Bai Yun.
A wave of excitement spread through the arena.
"Bai Yun?!"
"That's a tough opponent!"
"His sword technique focuses entirely on speed."
"I heard he once defeated three disciples at the same time during a training match."
All eyes turned toward the participant area.
A tall young man stepped forward.
This was Bai Yun.
He wore long silver robes that shimmered slightly under the sunlight. His appearance was elegant and refined, and his calm demeanor gave him the aura of a disciplined swordsman.
At his waist hung a slender sword with a translucent blade that resembled polished crystal.
As Bai Yun walked toward the arena, many disciples watched him with respect.
He had always been considered one of the more talented swordsmen within the Heavenly Sword Palace.
Unlike some cultivators who relied on brute strength, Bai Yun specialized in speed and precision.
His sword strikes were famously difficult to predict.
Bai Yun stepped onto the arena floor and turned his gaze toward Lin Feng.
Lin Feng walked forward calmly to meet him.
For a moment, the two swordsmen simply observed each other.
Bai Yun finally spoke.
"So you're Lin Feng."
His voice was calm but curious.
Lin Feng nodded slightly.
"Yes."
Bai Yun studied him carefully.
"I've been watching your matches."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your sword control is impressive."
He paused before continuing.
"But technique alone doesn't decide victory."
Lin Feng remained silent.
He slowly drew his sword.
The slender blade glowed faintly with a subtle azure light.
Bai Yun smiled faintly.
"Good."
He pulled his own sword from its sheath.
The crystal-like blade reflected the sunlight like a shard of ice.
"Let's see whose sword is sharper."
High above the arena, the Grand Elder raised his hand.
The crowd fell silent.
"Begin."
The instant the signal was given
Bai Yun vanished.
A wave of surprised gasps spread through the stands.
His speed was incredible.
Even many experienced spectators struggled to follow his movement.
In the blink of an eye, Bai Yun appeared behind Lin Feng.
His sword flashed toward Lin Feng's back.
"Phantom Step."
Lin Feng's body shifted slightly.
The blade sliced through empty air.
Bai Yun attacked again.
His body blurred as he moved across the battlefield.
Every strike came from a different direction.
Front.
Side.
Behind.
Above.
The arena seemed filled with flashing silver sword light.
Lin Feng responded calmly.
His sword moved with quiet precision.
Each time Bai Yun attacked, Lin Feng's blade intercepted the strike at exactly the right moment.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
The sound of steel echoed across the arena.
The duel became a rapid exchange of motion.
Bai Yun attacked relentlessly, his speed increasing with every strike.
But Lin Feng blocked every attack without appearing rushed.
Gradually, Bai Yun's expression became more serious.
"You're reading my movements."
Lin Feng did not answer.
Instead
He stepped forward.
His sword flashed.
Bai Yun's eyes widened slightly.
He barely managed to raise his blade in time.
CLANG.
The impact forced him backward several steps.
A ripple spread through the crowd.
"That's the first time Bai Yun has been pushed back!"
The battle had shifted.
Bai Yun steadied himself.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Interesting."
His aura suddenly sharpened.
"Then let's try something more serious."
He raised his sword.
A faint silver glow began gathering along the blade.
"Shadow Dance."
His body blurred again.
But this time something different happened.
Instead of one attacker
Five sword images appeared.
Each one moved independently, striking from a different direction.
The spectators gasped.
"That's Bai Yun's ultimate technique!"
"Even experienced disciples struggle to block it!"
The five sword images closed in on Lin Feng simultaneously.
For a brief moment
The arena seemed completely silent.
Lin Feng's eyes became focused.
His breathing slowed.
Then his sword moved.
"Azure Sword Art… Third Flow."
The blade traced a perfect arc through the air.
Azure light followed the movement like flowing water.
One strike.
All five sword images shattered instantly.
CLANG.
The sound rang through the arena like thunder.
Bai Yun's real sword was knocked aside.
Before he could react—
Lin Feng stepped forward.
His blade stopped gently against Bai Yun's throat.
The battle ended.
For a moment, the arena was completely silent.
Then the Grand Elder's voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Victory… Lin Feng."
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"He did it again!"
"That strike destroyed Bai Yun's technique!"
"He's definitely one of the strongest competitors now!"
Bai Yun stared at the sword in front of him.
Then he slowly lowered his weapon.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You win."
Lin Feng withdrew his blade and sheathed it.
The two swordsmen bowed slightly to each other before leaving the arena.
As Lin Feng returned to the participant area, the atmosphere around him had changed.
The whispers had grown louder.
Respectful.
Even awe-filled.
The Dark Horse had advanced again.
Now only four competitors remained.
The names displayed on the stone tablet were:
Han Qiu — The Ice Sword Prodigy
Zhao Tian — Master of the Crimson Blade
The Masked Swordsman — The Mysterious Challenger
Lin Feng — The Dark Horse
Four swordsmen.
Four completely different sword paths.
And only one would claim victory in the Heavenly Sword Tournament.
Across the arena, the masked swordsman stood silently.
His arms were folded across his chest.
His eyes followed Lin Feng's movements.
For the first time since the tournament began…
A faint trace of excitement appeared in his gaze.
Because he understood something the others did not.
Lin Feng had not yet revealed his full strength.
And sooner or later…
Their swords would meet.