If one were to speak of who, after Xiao Feng and Wang Zhen depart, has the most qualification to contend for the top spot on the earthly ranking list and become the number one person in the Inner Sect, then Xiao Feng believes there is no one other than Zhao Letian.
With a cultivation at the True Martial Second Realm, he could comprehend the Triple Sword Force, his martial arts realm advances ahead of his cultivation level, this is the state of cultivation most desired by martial artists, however, it is not something just anyone could achieve. Even Xiao Feng, such a monstrously talented genius, could not accomplish such defiance of the heavens like Zhao Letian in his early years.
As for people like Yan Peng and Shentu Yu, in Xiao Feng's view, although their cultivation level is far superior to Zhao Letian's, if talent were to be discussed, they simply can't be compared to Zhao Letian. Even if Zhao Letian's current strength is not as good as theirs, given time, he will inevitably surpass both of them, becoming the top figure of the Inner Sect.
However, what Xiao Feng does not know is that Yan Peng aside, Shentu Yu, Zhao Letian intends to slay today.
"Shentu Yu's strength is stronger than Lin Yun's. With my current strength, I do not have absolute certainty to kill him. If I can comprehend the Four Layers Sword Force, it would be much easier." Below the earthly ranking battle stage, Zhao Letian sat cross-legged in meditation to restore his energy, while contemplating the sword force.
The recent fight between Wang Zhen and Xiao Feng had a great impact on him. The forces they mastered have reached the level of borrowing force, especially Xiao Feng, who almost pushed the concept of borrowing force to the extreme. With a single sword strike, he could borrow the force of heaven and earth for his own use, strongly crushing Wang Zhen's force of earth.
In the Ten Thousand Abyss, Zhao Letian's sword force had already reached the peak of the Triple Sword Force, and after watching the fight between Wang Zhen and Xiao Feng, he even faintly felt that he had touched the threshold of the Four Layers Sword Force. Now, he only needed an opportunity to step into the realm of borrowing force and master the Four Layers Sword Force.
After the battle between Wang Zhen and Xiao Feng concluded, the first round of battles on the earthly ranking battle stage also ended, and soon after, the second round began.
After the first round of fighting, there were not many people left for the second round; quickly, it was Zhao Letian's turn.
"Shentu Yu, come down and meet your demise!"
Zhao Letian had adjusted to his best condition, stepped onto the Life and Death Platform, looked up at Shentu Yu in the sky, dressed in a magnificent violet robe, stepping on a Golden Flying Sword, embracing Liu Fei. His eyes shooting a brilliant light, his fighting spirit was soaring.
"Hmph! Courting death!"
Shentu Yu snorted coldly, released Liu Fei, and landed on the Life and Death Platform, taking out a silver longsword with a flip of his hand, staring at Zhao Letian with a cold look.
The crowd's gaze converged onto the Life and Death Platform. The news that Zhao Letian, the top person outside the gate, challenged Shentu Yu, the Inner Sect's top ten talent, had already spread throughout the Galaxy Sect half a year ago. This battle was long anticipated by everyone.
Half a year ago, Zhao Letian with just a mere Primordial Martial Seventh Realm cultivation level, proclaimed his challenge to Shentu Yu. Many people thought that Zhao Letian was seeking his own death, as he had no chance to defeat Shentu Yu whatsoever.
However, today Zhao Letian's cultivation level has already reached the True Martial Second Realm, and he even mastered the Triple Sword Force, slain Lin Yun who was the fifth talent in the Inner Sect. No one dares to underestimate him anymore, and now, he is truly fit to fight Shentu Yu head-on.
"Brother Letian." Liu Wei, who watched from the sky, showed signs of nervousness in her beautiful eyes, worried for Zhao Letian.
In his fight with Lin Yun, Zhao Letian had already been injured multiple times, and with Shentu Yu's strength being even greater than Lin Yun's, the likelihood of Zhao Letian getting injured in the fight is naturally higher, and even, with a moment of carelessness, he might be facing the danger of losing his life; how could Liu Wei not worry?
Moreover, even if Zhao Letian could eventually defeat Shentu Yu and kill him, it does not mean that the matter would end there. It might even lead to greater trouble, after all, Shentu Yu is the son of Qingzhou City's City Lord. If Zhao Letian were to kill him, how could the City Lord Mansion let it go?
But Liu Wei was powerless in this matter; the feud between Zhao Letian and Shentu Yu had escalated to a point of life and death, and a battle had to be fought to resolve it.
At the same time, Liu Fei was also very anxious. Naturally, she wasn't worried about Zhao Letian, but tense on behalf of Shentu Yu.
If Shentu Yu were to win this battle, slaying Zhao Letian, everything would be fine. Conversely, if Zhao Letian were to win and kill Shentu Yu, Liu Fei didn't know how she would accept the outcome. All her previous efforts, including giving her body to Shentu Yu, would be in vain, like fetching water with a bamboo basket, yielding no benefits whatsoever.
"Shentu Yu must kill Zhao Letian!" Liu Fei could only comfort herself.
At this moment, even the high-ranking individuals from Galaxy Sect on the Golden Warship were paying close attention to the clash between these two.
"Who do you think will win this fight?" asked a Guardian Elder with a smile, looking at the others.
"In my opinion, Shentu Yu has a greater chance of victory."
"That's right, Shentu Yu's cultivation has reached the peak of True Martial Fourth Realm. Even mastering only two layers of sword force, he should be able to suppress Zhao Letian easily."
"I, however, am more optimistic about Zhao Letian. If he has any cards left unplayed, it's not impossible for him to defeat Shentu Yu." Chapter source: My Virtual Library Empire (*).
The Guardian Elders began to discuss among themselves.
"Sect Master, who do you favor more?" someone asked Sect Master Chu Yunshan.
"Zhao Letian," Chu Yunshan said calmly, his tone very certain.
"But judging by the strength Zhao Letian has shown so far, he has no chance of defeating Shentu Yu, unless he has an even stronger card up his sleeve. Sect Master, do you believe he has yet unplayed cards?" the person continued to inquire.
"I don't know if he has stronger cards left, but in his eyes, I see a courage that screams 'burning one's boats,' a readiness to fight with his back against the wall, and moreover, a determination to achieve victory. Even if it means risking his own life, he will slay Shentu Yu. His Martial Arts Heart is unyielding; no person or thing can stop him. Shentu Yu can't impede his rise; he can only serve as a stepping stone," the Sect Master said in a grave tone, his gaze sharp and discerning.
The Guardian Elders were all startled, having not expected the Sect Master to hold Zhao Letian in such high regard. Yet, despite this, many among them remained skeptical, as they didn't consider factors such as the Martial Arts Heart—viewing it as too ethereal. They believed more in the tangible strength they could see with their own eyes.
"The Sect Master is right; Shentu Yu is destined to become the stepping stone for my disciple's rise," Sword Obsession thought privately, fully agreeing with the Sect Master's opinion.
"Shentu Yu, don't say Yan Peng didn't give you a chance. In order to fulfill your and Zhao Letian's half-year-old pact, I will not intervene this round. I hope you seize the opportunity, otherwise, in the third round, I will take matters into my own hands," Yan Peng looked at the two on the Life and Death Platform, his eyes revealing a playful glint.
"Zhao Letian, my cultivation surpasses yours, my Spiritual Artifact is superior to yours, how can you contend with me? Today, you are destined to fall to my blade once more." Shentu Yu's body thrummed with the power of the True Martial Fourth Realm Peak's True Yuan, and his silver longsword, radiating the terrifying aura of a four-star low-grade Spiritual Artifact, pointed at Zhao Letian with an icy gaze.