Chapter Ten: The Second Divine Martial Contest Section Sixteen: Martial Sovereign (Part One)

Section Sixteen: Martial Sovereign (Part One)

Chief Left Advisor had instructed early on: when facing an enemy in the arena, one must show no mercy. At first, Ling Luo found it unbearable, unwilling to kill on the stage. It was only after hearing a single remark from Bu Jinxian that he resolutely made up his mind.

“To reach the pinnacle of martial arts, how can one lack the ruthless heart to slay all heroes of the world?” Ling Luo had loudly applauded those words then, for they dispelled the confusion planted by his father's orders.

Today, since Ling Luo had stepped onto the stage, his purpose was to claim the title of Martial Sovereign. If Qiu Ye were to defeat all the heroes, Ling Luo would not contest it. But seeing Qiu Ye relinquish the Martial Sovereign title to Qi Yue, Ling Luo had no choice but to rise. Ling Luo was confident in his own abilities; lacking the genius of Zheng Feixian, Qi Yue certainly could not match Zheng’s commanding presence.

The Northern Sword Saint, Chu Gaoge’s summoned Bai clan woman, the Blue Ghost, Kaer—such formidable figures were beyond Qi Yue’s lone ability to confront.

Hence, if the title of Martial Sovereign was to be claimed, Ling Luo would rather take it upon himself.

"The Northern Martial Sect Master’s power is astonishing; I, this marquis, cannot hold back. The Sect Master, in a desperate bid to maintain footing, forced his internal energy to accumulate without release, causing collateral harm to the innocent. It is truly regrettable and saddening," Ling Luo declared as the disciples of the Northern Martial Sect glared at him with hatred, carrying away the bodies of their master and four comrades amid countless pitying and sympathetic gazes departing the Divine Martial Arena.

The judge loudly announced Ling Luo’s victory and invited heroes from across the land to challenge him.

Yet, long moments passed without anyone stepping forward. The might of Li Yijian struck fear into all hearts, and Ling Luo’s own formidable presence deterred any challenger outright.

Ling Luo was brimming with confidence to claim the Martial Sovereign title. He knew that the true masters would only consider stepping into the arena after he and Qi Yue had battled, but he remained unafraid. His Divine Sect Heart Technique quickly restored his depleted internal energy, rendering him unafraid of protracted combat.

On the balcony, Bu Jinxian had not anticipated Ling Luo’s appearance. Witnessing him ruthlessly slay the Northern Martial Sect Master and four experts, he realized that his senior brother was no longer the man he had known. He had fully come to understand the world’s harshness and learned to be merciless. Bu Jinxian could not help but worry for Qi Yue. Though they had met only a few times, he recognized that she was no longer the girl of old—she was confident and resolute, deeply devoted to their sect, bearing the weight of being a member of the Flying Immortal Sect.

She would not abandon the responsibility of Martial Sovereign simply because Ling Luo stood on the stage.

He had hoped to assist Qi Yue but had already dealt with Li Yijian. Now, with the even more fearsome senior brother Ling Luo on the stage, the situation was more complicated.

“Hahaha… The Immortal Faith Marquis steps up today. By my reckoning, the title of Martial Sovereign suits the Immortal Faith Marquis well!” King Zheng laughed heartily. His words left Zheng Linran embarrassed and annoyed, glaring at Qiu Ye, blaming her reckless actions for the trouble. Otherwise, the Immortal Faith Marquis would never have intervened, nor would King Zheng have hinted that the Flying Immortal Sect should not fight among themselves.

Yet, such words belittled the Flying Immortal Sect. King Zheng believed that aside from Qiu Ye, none of the others possessed the capability to become Martial Sovereign.

Zheng Linran felt a deep sense of injustice. The title of Martial Sovereign belonged to the Flying Immortal Sect—in the past, now, and forever! This was Zheng Feixian’s most solemn legacy and the inviolable dignity of their sect.

“How does Martial Sovereign Qiu Ye regard the Immortal Faith Marquis?” Zheng Linran asked with a smile, both to remind King Zheng that Qiu Ye still lived and to hint that she might reconsider and step onto the stage herself.

“Marquis’s internal strength is so formidable that calling him the greatest of this era is no exaggeration. The Divine Sect’s martial arts are sublime, like the spells of an immortal, their momentum awe-inspiring, worthy of the founding elder of the Northern Spirit,” Qiu Ye gave no reply to Zheng Linran’s hint, further fueling Zheng Linran’s silent resentment.

King Zheng had already given his signal; Zheng Linran could not openly defy it by sending sect elders onto the stage to exhaust Ling Luo in a war of attrition. But could she place her hopes on Qi Yue, who seemed only concerned with food? At that moment, Zheng Linran felt her pride severely wounded. In the past, she had never cared whether she was gifted or not, for she was the sect master.

Now, she realized the sect master’s prestige was closely tied to her personal martial prowess.

The judge announced loudly, “Time is up! Ling Luo has surpassed all rivals and earned the right to challenge the appointed Martial Sovereign contender—Flying Immortal Sect’s junior disciple, Qi Yue!”

Immediately, music swelled, drums thundered, fireworks and salutes filled the air.

These pomp and ceremony were originally arranged for Qiu Ye, the Martial Sovereign, but now were lavishly bestowed upon Qi Yue.

As Qi Yue prepared to step forward, from the balcony Qiu Ye removed her golden phoenix-embroidered Martial Sovereign robe, lifted off the golden phoenix headpiece, and the black silk Martial Sovereign belt, casting them all down.

“Qi Yue, wear this.”

The Martial Sovereign robe fluttered gently as it fell. Qi Yue looked up, leapt into the air, shed her own robe mid-flight, donned the Martial Sovereign robe, and swiftly tightened the belt. Descending onto the arena floor, she cradled the golden phoenix headpiece and fixed it firmly atop her head. Her phoenix-shaped eyes, beneath finely arched brows, grew calm and resolute, no trace of the earlier concealed panic.

Only then did Qi Yue understand Qiu Ye’s meaning. She needed no further preparation. No matter how she tried to calm herself these past days, it was only now—standing on the stage, wearing the robe once belonging to their master and now to Qiu Ye, donning that golden phoenix headpiece—that her inner fear dissipated.

Everything told her what she must do now.

That was victory—achieved at all costs!

Such was the hope and spirit of their master, of Qiu Ye, and of all the Flying Immortal Sect.

“Junior sister Qi Yue, are you truly determined to compete?” Ling Luo regarded the woman before him with mixed feelings. He had hoped she would give up, but her fighting spirit was unwavering.

“We are both from Zheng State. There is no need for us to engage in a fierce battle on the stage. I only wish to compare one palm strike with you—test internal strength, compare power. The outcome shall be decided in a single palm. What say you, Marquis?” Qi Yue suddenly proposed, catching everyone off guard, even Qiu Ye’s face filled with puzzlement.

Bu Jinxian too could not fathom her reasoning.

Ling Luo was bewildered. Though her eyes betrayed steadfast battle intent and an unshakeable confidence in victory, she made a proposal that seemed utterly hopeless.

It was an offer Ling Luo could not refuse.

“Very well, then. One palm strike only.”

In the divine vision, Qi Yue’s stamina registered at 1800 (the base stamina of a Tenth Realm Supreme at 600, enhanced by the Energetic Body trait by 100%, and further doubled by the Tenth Realm Heart Technique). Her internal energy was 1200 (base 600, doubled by the Heart Technique), with a divine score of 10 and spirit 7. Her combat power reached 6000, with absolute combat power at 42,000.

Even if a Tenth Realm Supreme could convert stamina fully into internal energy, it would total no more than 3000.

Compared to Ling Luo’s internal power, the gap was immense. On what grounds did Qi Yue dare to challenge him in internal strength?

Their plain palms met in a clash.

At the moment of contact, Ling Luo’s heart sank.

Bu Jinxian and Chu Gaoge rose in shock.

In the divine vision, Qi Yue’s spirit shadow flickered suddenly.

Just as it had when Li Yijian had struck!

Their internal energies collided, and Ling Luo was forced back half a step. He stared in disbelief at Qi Yue’s calm composure, the beautiful face devoid of any triumphant glee.

He had been defeated.