Douluo Continent: Martial Soul - Dragon Abyss Sword, Peerless Prodigy

Chapter 53: The Grand Prix of Prodigies Opens! Swords Pointing at All Heroes

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

The "Heavenly Pride Arena" on the back mountain of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was already packed with people.

This arena covers an area of ​​thousands of feet and is made entirely of precious glass and corundum, making it incredibly hard and capable of withstanding the full force of a Soul Douluo-level attack.

The arena is surrounded by ten viewing platforms, belonging to various sects and the royal family, layered upon each other, creating a magnificent atmosphere.

On the main platform directly north of the arena, Ning Fengzhi sat in the center, dressed in a green robe, his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial spirit faintly emerging, radiating seven-colored light.

To his left and right were Qian Xunji, Pope of the Spirit Hall; Tang Cang, Supreme Elder of the Clear Sky Sect; Yu Yuanzhen, Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; and royal representatives from the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires.

The five giants sat together, their powerful auras casting an invisible pressure over the entire venue.

Below the stage, hundreds of young Soul Masters from all over the mainland were eager to fight, their eyes filled with anticipation and fighting spirit.

Some of them are inner disciples of major sects, some are geniuses cultivated by the royal family, and some are dark horses among lone cultivators.

Everyone wanted to stand out at this grand gathering of geniuses and become famous overnight.

"Junior brother, there are so many people—" Bibi Dong stood beside Lin Han, her gaze sweeping over the surroundings, and said softly.

Although she wasn't exactly nervous, she couldn't help but feel a little unsettled by such a large-scale event.

"The more the merrier," Lin Han said calmly, his white robes gleaming like snow, the Dragon Abyss Sword slung across his waist, four soul rings slowly pulsating, yellow and...

Purple, Black, Black: "This is a good opportunity to let everyone see the true strength of the Spirit Hall's younger generation."

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with determination, and she nodded.

She is now a level 32 Soul Master with a three-ring configuration of yellow, purple, and purple, and her Spider Emperor Domain, a dual-soul martial soul, is maturing day by day.

In any sect, she would be a top genius; it's just that Lin Han's brilliance is so dazzling that she doesn't stand out as much.

But she knew that today, she also had to prove herself.

She was not just an accessory to Lin Han, but a Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall who could fight alongside him.

"Thump—!!!"

A thunderous drumbeat rang out, and the entire arena fell silent instantly.

Ning Fengzhi stood up, a smile on his face, his gentle yet clear voice reaching everyone present: "Gentlemen, today's Heavenly Pride Tournament aims to provide a platform for the younger generation of the mainland to exchange skills and make friends through martial arts. The rules are simple: draw lots for duels, two-on-one battles, the winner advances, the loser is eliminated. Intentional injury is prohibited, as is the use of hidden weapons."

Poisoning and other despicable means. Stop here, let's compete fairly.

"The top ten winners will receive generous rewards from my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School—the first place winner will receive one ten-thousand-year-old spiritual herb, the second place winner will receive three thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, the third place winner will receive one thousand-year-old spiritual herb, and the remaining seven winners will each receive three hundred-year-old spiritual herbs."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire venue erupted in cheers once again.

A miraculous elixir that lasts for millennia!

That's a treasure that even a Title Douluo would covet, yet the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School actually offered it as a reward for the Heavenly Pride Tournament. The sheer scale of their generosity is astonishing.

A flicker of interest flashed in Lin Han's eyes.

If used in conjunction with whale glue, this ancient elixir would be enough to elevate his physical body to a higher level, laying a more solid foundation for his attempt to break through to the fifth spirit ring.

"The lottery begins!"

An elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School announced loudly, holding a glazed box in his hands, inside which were jade tablets with the names of all the participants written on them.

The prodigies from various sects stepped forward one by one to draw lots.

Lin Han walked to the box and casually took out a jade pendant with the number seventeen engraved on it.

"Number seventeen." Lin Han glanced at it, then turned and returned to his original position.

Bibi Dong also drew a lot, and her number was thirty-eight.

"I wonder who my opponent will be—" Bibi Dong murmured softly, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

"No matter who it is, Senior Sister just needs to give it her all," Lin Han said.

"Um!"

After the draw, the match-up list was quickly displayed on the huge glass screens on both sides of the arena.

Lin Han's opponent is Xue Lingfeng, a prodigy from the royal family of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Xue Lingfeng, the youngest son of Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire, is about fourteen years old. He is a level thirty-eight Soul Master with the Martial Soul "Ice Crystal Phoenix". He is one of the best among the younger generation of the Heaven Dou royal family. He is known for his ice-type control and explosive power and is called "Northern Ice Phoenix".

Lin Han looked to the other side of the arena, where a young man dressed in silver-white robes was looking in their direction.

He had a handsome face, fair skin, and silver hair that cascaded over his shoulders. His brows exuded the innate nobility and composure of royalty.

It was Xue Ling Peak.

He seemed to sense Lin Han's gaze, nodded slightly, and smiled politely yet arrogantly.

"The first match: Lin Han of the Spirit Hall versus Xue Lingfeng of the Heaven Dou Empire!"

The referee's voice rang out, and all eyes in the stadium instantly turned to him.

Lin Han and Xue Lingfeng stepped onto the arena at the same time.

"Junior brother, keep it up!" Bibi Dong shouted from below the stage.

"Lin Han! Show me your true skills!" Tang Hao crossed his arms, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Brother Lin Han, let me witness your swordsmanship!" Ning Rongfeng stood beside his father with a smile on his face.

Yu Tianqing remained calm, but his gaze was fixed on the arena.

Yu Tianxin's face was full of resentment, and she secretly prayed that Lin Han would be embarrassed.

"start!"

The referee gave the whistle.

Xue Lingfeng made the first move, and the second purple soul ring around his body lit up instantly. The Ice Crystal Phoenix Martial Soul was attached to him, and a pair of ice-blue wings spread out behind him, exuding cold air and causing the temperature of the arena to drop sharply!

"Second Soul Skill: Ice Phoenix Frost Dance!"

With a flap of his wings, countless ice crystals swept towards Lin Hanxi like sharp blades, freezing the air and covering the ground with a layer of white frost wherever they passed!

This attack, with its wide range, high speed, and strong destructive power, is Xue Lingfeng's signature crowd control skill.

Lin Han remained expressionless and did not move his feet. He simply raised his hand slightly and swung the Dragon Abyss Sword out from its sheath.

A golden sword aura erupted from the scabbard, transforming into a shield of light that blocked all the ice crystals.

The ice crystals struck the light shield, shattering into countless ice shards that shimmered in the sunlight.

A hint of surprise flashed in Xue Lingfeng's eyes, but he did not panic.

His third purple spirit ring lit up immediately, and the aura of his Ice Crystal Phoenix Martial Soul surged!

"Third Soul Skill - Ice Phoenix's Wrath!"

boom-!

A gigantic phantom of an ice phoenix, formed from ice crystals, rose from behind him, its wings obscuring the sky and carrying a chilling aura as it swooped down toward Lin Han!

This strike concentrated all his soul power, and its power was enough to severely injure a level 40 Soul Master!

"Buzz!"

A hint of approval flashed in Lin Han's eyes.

Xue Lingfeng's strength is indeed much greater than Dai Mubai's (this is a typo, it should be Xue Lingfeng), and his use of ice-type control is also quite exquisite.

But that's all.

Lin Han took light steps, his figure floating backward like a willow catkin, while his right hand pressed on the hilt of the sword, and the Dragon Abyss Sword was finally drawn!

"Whoosh—!"

A golden sword light ripped through the sky, as fast as lightning, and struck the head of the ice phoenix phantom with precision!

"boom!!!"

The illusory image of the ice phoenix shattered instantly, turning into countless ice shards that fluttered and swirled in the air.

The golden sword light continued its momentum, grazing past Xue Lingfeng's ear and striking the crystal wall behind him, leaving a sword mark several feet deep.

The entire room fell silent.

Xue Lingfeng stood frozen in place, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

If that sword had been half an inch too high, his head would have been severed.

"I—I lost." Xue Lingfeng took a deep breath, withdrew his martial spirit, and bowed slightly to Lin Han. "Brother Lin Han's swordsmanship is divine. I am completely convinced."

"You flatter me." Lin Han sheathed his sword and said calmly, "Your control over ice is exquisite. If your soul power were stronger, I might not be able to break through it with a single strike."

Xue Lingfeng was slightly taken aback, then gave a wry smile: "Brother Lin Han is too modest. I have learned a great deal from you today. If we have the opportunity in the future, I will seek your guidance again."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and walked off the stage, his back still upright, without the slightest sign of dishevelment.

"Lin Han wins!"

The referee's voice rang out, trembling slightly.

A deafening roar erupted from the entire audience.

"One sword strike! And another!"

"He defeated Snow Spirit Peak, a level 38 cultivator, without even needing a second sword strike!"

"The Ice Crystal Phoenix of the Heavenly Dou Royal Family was so utterly defeated in front of Lin Han!"

Tang Hao gripped the Clear Sky Hammer tightly, his fighting spirit growing even more intense.

Yu Tianqing narrowed his eyes, and the cold smile on his lips finally disappeared, replaced by a look of solemnity.

Ning Fengzhi stroked his beard and smiled, looking at Qian Xunji: "Your Holiness, your disciple truly lives up to his reputation. To shatter the Ice Phoenix with a single sword strike, what a sharp and fierce sword intent!"

Qian Xunji laughed heartily, his eyes filled with pride: "This is just a warm-up. The real showdown is yet to come."

Xue Lingfeng returned to his seat in the Heavenly Dou royal family. Prince Xue Xing patted him on the shoulder and whispered, "Don't be discouraged. Lin Han's strength is far above yours. Losing to him is not shameful."

"I understand." Xue Lingfeng nodded, his gaze still fixed on Lin Han, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He originally thought that with his level 38 Soul Master and Ice Crystal Phoenix Martial Soul, even if he was no match for Lin Han, he could still hold out for a few rounds.

Unexpectedly, he couldn't even withstand a single sword strike.

This disparity left him both shocked and bitter.

Lin Han returned to the stage, and Bibi Dong immediately greeted him, her face beaming with joy: "Junior Brother, you were amazing! You shattered the Ice Phoenix with a single sword strike, so cool!"

"Senior Sister, you flatter me." Lin Han said calmly, "Snow Spirit Peak is quite strong, but its soul power foundation is slightly inferior. If it can hone its skills for a few more years, it will surely become a great force."

"It's my turn next!" Bibi Dong clenched her fists, her eyes filled with fighting spirit.

"Okay, good luck, senior sister." Lin Han smiled slightly.

"Match 38: Bibi Dong of the Spirit Hall versus Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire!"

The referee's voice rang out.

Bibi Dong took a deep breath and stepped onto the ring.

Lin Han watched her retreating figure, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

It's time for everyone to witness Senior Sister's Spider Emperor Domain.