Chapter 274: Yun Lian Defeated

Another seven days passed.

The third round of the Sky Realm Contender War officially began.

Except for Bai Li Ming, who secured a bye slot, the other twenty‑four geniuses vied for the twelve spots to advance to the fourth round.

This opening match was finally not Lin Chuan.

Instead, it featured Nan Gong Ya of Qingzhou Biluoyuan against Yun Lian of the Cloud Kingdom in Han Yun Zhou.

"How lively!"

On the Yun Tai, countless fervent cultivators raised their arms and shouted.

Most of the eliminated geniuses still watched the contest, hoping to learn something and to support the strong ones they respected, bearing witness to their brilliance.

As super‑geniuses, both Yun Lian and Nan Gong Ya each had countless followers.

To many, this was also an evenly matched struggle.

Within the micro arena.

Yun Lian and Nan Gong Ya were already ready.

"Sky Realm Contender War: Third‑Round Arena Battle."

"Nan Gong Ya of Qingzhou Biluoyuan versus Yun Lian of the Cloud Kingdom in Han Yun Zhou; the match officially begins."

The spirit vessel's voice rang out, and the spatial binding was lifted.

The instant the binding vanished, Nan Gong Ya transformed into a flash of light and disappeared on the spot.

"So fast!"

Yun Lian's pupils narrowed. "Jumping in and going all out, huh?"

Layers of airflow floated around Yun Lian, like successive shields, keeping her centered.

"I will rely on more than just the Way of Fortune."

"Spear, forward!"

Yun Lian waved her hand, her palms gradually solidifying, and a white spear shaft materialized in her grasp.

As a Princess of the Cloud Kingdom, she also studied the martial art of warfare.

She obtained the spear hailed as the King of a Hundred Weapons.

Three‑colored streams of light fluttered continuously, making the micro arena dazzlingly chaotic, and Yun Lian's expression grew solemn.

"The speed gap is too great."

"I can't grasp her true form at all; even my divine perception is muddled by the flashing lights."

"To win, I can only hold fast to my domain."

"Defending is attacking; the Way of Fortune works that way, and so does the spear technique I practice—maintain the guard and there is hope to win."

Yun Lian gathered her spirit and focused her breath.

Attack! Certain loss!

Defend, and there is a sliver of hope to win.

Buzz!

In the air, a buzzing vibration rang, Yun Lian's ears twitched slightly, and she thrust sharply toward a spot in space.

The spear tip rippled the space.

The streaming light that burst from the space was shattered by a single spear thrust.

"Blocked it."

Yun Lian let out a sigh of relief.

She warned herself not to be impatient; delaying even a breath could be the difference between victory and defeat.

"They've all hidden tricks."

Spectating, Lin Chuan smiled.

Yun Zhi Yi laughed, "This Cloud Kingdom Princess wields the Way of Fortune well, integrating it with the Divine Power of her spear technique."

"When she maintains this state, the fluctuating currents of Fortune form a circle."

"Any anomaly entering this circle will be detected by her; even Nan Gong Ya's speed, no matter how swift, or her Divine Power, however exquisite, will be severely diminished within this impenetrable circle."

Regarding the Way of Fortune, Xiao Qingmei's comprehension is profoundly deep.

Lin Chuan clearly doesn't grasp that much.

Yun Zhi Yi added, "But defending as offense may work against ordinary cultivators; against Nan Gong Ya, defeat is only a matter of time."

"Indeed."

Lin Chuan sighed lightly, "It remains to see how far she can pressure Nan Gong Ya."

Within the micro arena, after numerous failed assaults, Nan Gong Ya had expended much energy and no longer launched reckless attacks.

"Maintain an absolutely focused state within a single area?"

"Then..."

Nan Gong Ya's lips curled into a smile, "Allow me to shatter your turtle shell with an utterly dominant stance."

"Blazing Heaven Fire!"

"Source Wood!"

"Fusion!"

Countless streams of light converged. Nan Gong Ya unhesitatingly fused the fiery light with the wooden light, while Yun Lian, bound by her own circle, dared not strike impulsively to interrupt her.

"Oh no."

Yun Lian sensed the threat, "I must act; I can only shrink my defensive radius again to gain greater speed."

The airflow fluctuations surrounding Yun Lian weakened, instantly shedding several layers.

At the same time, Yun Lian moved.

The spear sliced through space, bearing a rolling surge of Qi, and struck Nan Gong Ya.

"Finally moved."

Nan Gong Ya no longer employed the fused Divine Power, conjuring countless flames to strike at the weakened defense of Yun Lian, and she again turned into flowing light, seeking a chance to sweep the opponent.

Nine‑colored divine light, the heirloom Divine Power of Biluoyuan.

As long as it strikes the opponent, it can diminish the opponent's five senses, suppressing their Physical Body and soul.

Yun Lian clenched the teeth, beads of sweat constantly dripping from the forehead.

One attacks, one defends.

The battle between the two instantly fell into a stalemate.

"It looks like Yun Lian is reaching the limit; the performance is unexpected, yet not undeserving of the Super Genius name."

"If it weren't for encountering Nan Gong Ya, against other Super Geniuses there would truly be a chance to win."

But now…

Defeat is only a matter of time.

Time passes drop by drop.

Finally, Yun Lian, who had voluntarily narrowed the Qi flow perception range, found it hard to parry the ever‑faster flowing light.

Even the watertight circle was broken.

"Puff!"

The flowing light brushed across Yun Lian's body.

Yun Lian spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and countless streams of light followed, mercilessly.

In an instant, the Cloud Kingdom's little Princess was struck so hard she could not resist, suffering severe injuries, her expression withered.

"We concede."

Looking at the sister, beaten into utter misery, the Cloud Kingdom's Crown Prince Tian Yan Wang's face turned ashen.

He knows his sister's temperament too well.

Usually Yun Lian appears somewhat soft, fearing this and that, yet at crucial moments, absolutely a stubborn thinker.

So it's like this?

There is simply no hope of victory.

Still not conceding?

Only after Tian Yan Wang voluntarily conceded did the power of the Sphere of All Beings envelop Yun Lian's body and transport her back to Yun Tai.

Space flickered.

Bloodied Yun Lian fell onto Yun Tai.

Tears welled in Yun Lian's eyes, "I'm sorry, brother, I lost, bringing shame to the Cloud Kingdom."

"What nonsense are you saying."

Yun Tianyan is usually stern, but now dares not rebuke, his heart aching for his sister.

"Not your fault."

"It was that Nan Gong Ya who was too strong."

"After undergoing the Second Round, she has completely transformed; even Bai Li Ming and Lin Chuan might not be able to consistently defeat her. You have done well."

Yun Tianyan treated his sister's wounds, his eyes filled with anger.

He could sense that his sister's soul had been wounded, her foundation damaged, likely rendering her incapacitated and never recovering.

"How ruthless!"

"This level of attack far exceeds the legendary Second Realm's scope; otherwise, with the younger sister's strength, even a loss wouldn't be this disgraceful."

"They really seem to have changed."

Yun Tianyan naturally also knew that the Guardians had investigated the three of Nan Gong Ya, but there was no result.

As an outsider, he had no way to intervene.

"They are not only ruthless to opponents, but equally ruthless to themselves, completely disregarding life and death."

Yun Tianyan recalled the battle between Lin Chuan and Leng Fang,

At that time Lin Chuan never went for a killing blow, handling the whole fight with ease, yet Leng Fang insisted on fighting to the death, even at the cost of damaging his own soul.

"Biluoyuan is truly insane."

Yun Tianyan found it odd, but that was all; there was little he could do about Biluoyuan's matter.

At that moment, the spirit of the artifact's voice sounded beside his ear.

"Yun Tianyan, the cultivator Lin Chuan from Qingyun Prefecture requests an audience."

"Lin Chuan?"

Yun Tianyan was startled, "Let him in."