Chapter 730: The Second Stage

(It's not that I don't want to update more, but I cut my hand while chopping vegetables, and it's truly agonizing to write when one finger can't be used...)

A powerful surge of thunder energy struck toward Ye Lin, intending to blast him off the arena.

When a cultivator at the Cave Profound Realm strikes with all their might, the power is terrifying.

Even Ye Lin's expression turned incomparably grave in an instant.

He had not learned a single thing regarding Dharma cultivation.

Because the nine peak masters and Ye Lin himself all agreed that there was simply no need for someone who used forbidden techniques as their opening move to learn Dharma spells or divine abilities.

Therefore, facing the great thunder divine ability striking from the opposite side, Ye Lin was forced to raise his hand.

"Forbidden Curse: World-Extinguishing Wild Thunder!"

An even more terrifying surge of thunder energy erupted, as if a true heavenly tribulation had descended.

The two surges of thunder energy collided, and the thunder divine ability unleashed by the Cave Profound Realm early-stage cultivator was instantly and completely crushed.

"Are you kidding me? Someone at the Yin-Yang Realm should just obediently get lost!"

The Cave Profound early-stage cultivator was startled by the power of the World-Extinguishing Wild Thunder, and his expression changed abruptly.

"Thunder Lightning Net!"

Dazzling thunder condensed into a large net before him, blocking this terrifying strike entirely.

Before the Cave Profound Realm cultivator could counterattack, Ye Lin had already arrived before him.

"Brother, I like you!"

The sudden confession left the Cave Profound Realm cultivator stunned for a moment.

The next second, two flying swords stabbed toward him!

At the same time, Ye Lin swung the Bronze Dragon Vein Tripod, directly smashing this Cave Profound early-stage disciple away!

This scene caused everyone's gaze to turn grave.

A mere Yin-Yang Realm cultivator could actually eliminate a Cave Profound Realm one?

This move immediately made all the disciples realize that Ye Lin's strength could not be categorized by his realm at all; this guy possessed the ability to challenge across ranks, perhaps even across two major realms!

"Damn it! A perfectly good Haoran Sword Dao, and he's played it into this state!"

Every time he saw Ye Lin use flying swords this way, Jun Chuanxiong felt his anger flare up.

What he had taught Ye Lin was clearly an upright and proper Sword Dao; once practiced to a profound level, breaking ten thousand techniques with a single sword would be a trivial matter.

Yet Ye Lin insisted on turning it into this kind of crooked, evil path.

"Sigh, although it is a bit unorthodox, this child is quite creative, isn't he?"

Situ Qi smiled faintly; he was quite open-minded about this.

"If nothing else, let me ask you: if you and I were dueling and I suddenly said to you, 'Brother, I like you,' would you be confused?"

Jun Chuanxiong couldn't help but be stunned.

Although he was very angry, he truly couldn't think of any reason to refute it.

The Peak Master of Force Peak, Zheng Tongfei, also couldn't help but speak up.

"If he only knew how to copy and learn completely, his final achievements could never exceed the nine of us by much. Only by walking his own path can he go further."

"That still doesn't mean he can name a sword 'I like you'... it's simply a collapse of rites and music!"

Jun Chuanxiong muttered a few words under his breath.

For a traditional sword cultivator like him, giving a flying sword such an outrageous name was simply too hard to accept.

It was like mincing strawberries into a filling to put in dumplings, or stir-frying watermelon in hot oil and pouring meat sauce over it.

It could be eaten, but dishes made like that would definitely be scolded by others.

Realizing that Ye Lin's strength was not the least bit weaker than the Cave Profound Realm, and that his methods were extremely sinister and underhanded, with a penchant for sneak attacks and poisoning, the other disciples immediately lost interest in fighting him.

Ye Lin was happy to be idle.

After a fierce battle, only ten people remained on their arena, and Ye Lin was one of them.

The elder in charge of this arena immediately announced that the ten of them had advanced to the second stage.

At this time, the other arenas had also decided their top ten.

Nearly one hundred and fifty disciples had advanced to the second round.

And among these people, Ye Lin's realm was the lowest, only at the Yin-Yang Realm.

"Why can a Yin-Yang Realm cultivator sneak into the second stage? Are you kidding? A connection hire?"

"Buddy, you didn't watch just now, did you? That Yin-Yang Realm guy named Ye Lin is even fiercer than the Cave Profound Realm ones!"

"Fake, right? A Yin-Yang Realm can cross two major realms to beat a Cave Profound Realm?"

"I heard a piece of gossip that in the disciple assessment a few years ago, they actually recruited a super heaven-defying top genius; it seems to be the legendary Forbidden Spirit Root! Could it be him?"

"No way, where did you hear that wild history? That's wild enough; let alone the Immortal Cloud Sect, even Imperial-lineage Immortal Sects and Holy Lands would let such a person choose, so why would they choose to come to the Immortal Cloud Sect?"

"Believe it or not, just watch; that Ye Lin is very likely to enter the top ten!"

"Top ten? If he can survive two rounds in the second stage, I'll go smell the Sect Master's shoes!"

"You kid want all the good things, don't you?"

The appearance of a Yin-Yang Realm cultivator in the second stage undoubtedly aroused the interest of many Immortal Cloud Sect disciples.

Therefore, as soon as the second stage began, Ye Lin attracted much attention the moment he stepped onto the stage, and his opponents were also brought under much scrutiny.

As soon as the second stage started, Ye Lin encountered an opponent whose strength was not weak.

Seeing the other party, Ye Lin couldn't help but be amused.

Because this was actually an acquaintance.

The person stared coldly at Ye Lin, gripping a long sword tightly in his hand.

"It's actually Ding Hanbin! He is the personal disciple of Elder Fan Yecheng of Martial Peak, and his sword path is superb. In the last Nine Peaks Grand Competition, he achieved a good ranking of forty-fifth. It seems this Ye Lin doesn't have very good luck."

Some disciples watching the battle couldn't help but exclaim.

"Ye Lin! It seems Heaven really has eyes, giving me a chance to personally avenge my previous grudge!"

Cold light flickered in Ding Hanbin's eyes.

"This time, I will absolutely not fall for your sinister schemes again!"

Ding Hanbin made up his mind in his heart.

As soon as the elder referee announced the start, he would immediately swing his sword at Ye Lin, absolutely not giving the other party any chance to speak.

"Weapon Peak disciple Ye Lin, Martial Peak disciple Ding Hanbin, are you both ready?"

The elder acting as the referee asked, and seeing both of them nod, the elder did not hesitate and shouted softly.

"Then I announce, the first round of the second stage of the Nine Peaks Grand Competition, officially begins!"

As soon as the elder's voice fell, a brilliant sword light instantly lit up.

"Twilight Snow on a Thousand Mountains!"

Endless mountain peaks appeared accompanied by heavy snow under the night; in terms of Sword Dao, Ding Hanbin was undoubtedly a top-tier genius.

"Senior Brother Ding Hanbin, watch out behind you!" Ye Lin exclaimed.

"Hmph, do you think I'll fall for your trick again?"

After suffering a loss at Ye Lin's hands last time, Ding Hanbin had learned to be smart.

This time, no matter what Ye Lin said, he would not believe it again.

But the next second, Ding Hanbin suddenly felt an extremely dangerous sensation; he couldn't help but look back and discovered that behind him, at some unknown time, an extra Ye Lin had appeared!

That Ye Lin was holding a golden long spear and threw it directly toward Ding Hanbin!

Ding Hanbin couldn't dodge in time, and his shoulder was instantly pierced through, creating a bloody hole as blood sprayed.

"Nine Heavens Thunder Double Kick!"

Ye Lin pressed forward and swung the Bronze Dragon Vein Tripod down.

Ding Hanbin raised his sword to block, but was still smashed away by that incomparably powerful force.

"I told you to watch out behind you, yet you didn't believe the great Automobile Clan warrior? You thing without a hidden energy source in your back!"