Chapter 3307: The First Round
All of the Heavenly Pool Palace disciples thought Han Yun Jin would arrive first considering he had the upper hand in the battle that was about to take place. Who knew Duan Ling Tian, the prodigious disciple who was not even 300 years old and had just joined the Heavenly Pool Palace a few years ago, would show up first.
After greeting the Sword Trial Pavilion elder, he closed his eyes and waited for the battle to start. His expressionless face showed that he did not feel any pressure and that today was no different from any other day.
“Duan Ling Tian seems really confident!”
“Maybe he’s unaware of Han Yun Jin’s strength? Not only is Han Yun Jin a Celestial Emperor, but he has also comprehended all the profundities from the law of fire to the mastery stage. Moreover, I heard he has begun learning how to fuse his profundities…”
“Based on Duan Ling Tian’s movements, it seems like he’s just a Five Elements Celestial Lord…”
“For someone who’s not even 300 years old to become a Five Elements Celestial Lord and comprehend all the profundities from the law of s.p.a.ce to the mastery stage, there’s no doubt that Duan Ling Tian’s talent and apt.i.tude are heaven-defying. In fact, I dare say there’s no prodigious disciple in the Heavenly Pool Palace who has his innate talent. It’s just a pity that he’s foolish and agrees to a life-or-death battle with Han Yun Jin.”
“Perhaps he had gotten arrogant after killing Fan Qi three years ago…”
The Heavenly Pool Palace disciples were busy discussing among themselves when three figures appeared in the distance. These three figures instantly caught their attention.
“Han Yun Jin is here!”
“He’s here rather early. He seems rather confident. As expected of one of the top five prodigious disciples in the Heavenly Pool Palace.”
“Even if he’s here early, he’s not as early as Duan Ling Tian…”
“There’s no point mentioning Duan Ling Tian; he’s just seeking death.”
The three newcomers were Han Yun Jin; his Second Junior Brother, Zhao Ji Lie; and his Third Junior Brother, Wu Quan.
Normally, Zhao Ji Lie and Wu Quan would draw attention whenever they went out. However, their presence today was eclipsed by the battle and two main characters for today.
‘He came even earlier than I did?’ Han Yun Jin sneered inwardly when he saw the purple figure standing in the battle ring. The killing intent in the depths of his eyes intensified at once.
“Han Yun Jin.”
At this time, Han Yun Jin heard a familiar voice in his mind. It was none other than Lei Jun, the only son of Lei Ying, the Merciless Celestial Emperor.
Lei Jun had arrived a while ago and hid among the crowd. Upon seeing Han Yun Jin, he reminded Han Yun Jin through Voice Transmission. “Be careful. You should go all out as soon as the battle starts and kill him with one move if you can. I have a feeling that Duan Ling Tian has some tricks up his sleeve. After all, he dares to enter a life-or-death battle with you.”
“Lei Jun, I don’t need your reminder,” Han Yun Jin said indifferently, “Even a lion wouldn’t hold back when hunting a rabbit. I won’t even give him a shred of hope. I’ll send him to the pit of despair and kill him…”
“Good.” Lei Jun looked at the purple figure in the battle ring with a grim expression on his face. In the past, he had thought he could easily crush this young man who was not even 300 years old. He did not expect the young man would be as strong as him, based on the power the young man had shown. If the young man was allowed to continue to grow, he would not be able to compete with the young man at all.
‘Junior Sister Huan’er, you’re mine. I’m the only one worthy of you,’ Lei Jun thought to himself as he s.h.i.+fted his eyes to a woman standing next to Xu Lang’s prodigious disciples. She was dressed in all white, and her face was hidden by a veil. Nevertheless, the veil could barely conceal her beauty.
Whoos.h.!.+
While Lei Jun was looking at Huan’er in a daze, Han Yun Jin appeared in the battle ring in just a blink of an eye. After he took his place across from Duan Ling Tian, he said, “Duan Ling Tian, I didn’t expect you to show up…”
Duan Ling Tian opened his eyes. He stretched his limbs and yawned before he lazily said, “Oh, you’re here. I thought you didn’t dare to show up…”
Han Yun Jin’s expression turned unsightly when he heard Duan Ling Tian’s reply. The killing intent in his eyes intensified as he said, “I should be saying that to you…”
“Stop talking nonsense and make a move already if you want to kill me. Huan’er’s waiting for me to return and cultivate…” Duan Ling Tian replied indifferently.
As soon as Duan Ling Tian finished speaking, he looked at Lei Jun who was hidden among the crowd. He could clearly see the killing intent in Lei Jun’s eyes. He thought to himself ruefully, ‘It won’t be easy for me to kill Lei Jun after today’s battle…’
Duan Ling Tian knew once he killed Han Yun Jin, he would not be able to hide his strength any longer. If he challenged Lei Jun to a fight, there was no way Lei Jun would accept it. Lei Jun would only secretly scheme to kill him. Outside of a sanctioned life-or-death battle, it would be difficult for him to kill Lei Jun in the Heavenly Pool Palace. After all, Lei Jun was the only son of Lei Ying, the Merciless Celestial Emperor. If he killed Lei Jun without a legitimate reason, not only would he incur the wrath of Lei Ying, but he risked offending the Heavenly Pool Palace as well. At that time, even his teacher, Xu Lang, would have a hard time defending him.
At this moment, the Sword Trial Pavilion elder announced, “As agreed upon three years ago, today’s battle between Duan Ling Tian and Han Yun Jin is a life-or-death battle without the option to surrender. The battle will only end once one of them dies.”
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the two opponents in the battle ring. The tension between the two kept rising, and it was palpable. Although they were not in the battle ring, they could keenly feel the tension in the air.
“Since you’re in a hurry to die, I’ll fulfill your wis.h.!.+” Enraged by Duan Ling Tian’s words, flames surged out of his body immediately.
Swoos.h.!.+
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Han Yun Jin shot toward Duan Ling Tian like a ball of flames, leaving flames in his wake. He charged fiercely toward Duan Ling Tian like an enraged beast.
Duan Ling Tian’s expression remained unchanged as he looked at Han Yu Jin fiercely charging at him. With just a thought, he manifested the Pine Willow Divine Tree using the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon. After that, he borrowed the power of the Clear Heavens Divine Wood as well.
The energy of the sixth-form Clear Heavens Divine Wood surged into the Pine Willow Divine Tree. With this, the Pine Willow Divine Tree seemed to solidify into being.
As the Pine Willow Divine Tree kept growing, it cast a shadow over Han Yun Jin who had yet to get close to Duan Ling Tian. By the time he drew close, Duan Ling Tian was almost completely covered by the Pine Willow Divine Tree.
Swoos.h.!.+ Swoos.h.!.+ Swoos.h.!.+
At this time, Duan Ling Tian used the branches from the Pine Willow Divine Tree and whipped them at Han Yun Jin. Their movements were swift and powerful as they moved toward the fiery beast that was Han Yun Jin.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of explosions rang in the air when the two opponents collided.
Soon after, Han Yun Jin who was still shrouded in flames was forced to retreat under the fierce attacks. Nevertheless, he did not suffer any injuries.
Just like that, the first round was over with no one gaining the upper hand.
The energy from the collision rolled out in all directions, stirring up violent wind and causing everyone’s robes to flutter loudly.
When the dust settled, one could see cracks on the ground where Han Yun Jin stood. It should be noted that the Heavenly Pool Palace had used unique materials and spent a lot of effort to build the battle ring. To leave a mark in the battle ring, one had to be incredibly powerful.
“The Pine Willow Divine Tree?” After retreating, Han Yun Jin’s expression changed drastically when he saw the Pine Willow Divine Tree in front of him. “Y-you… You managed to manifest the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon’s Pine Willow Divine Tree by using my junior brother’s dead body!”
“Now that I think of it, I really have to thank him.” Duan Ling Tian’s mocking voice rang from within the tree. “If it weren’t for him, I might not be able to win today’s battle.”
As Duan Ling Tian spoke, the branches from the tree continued to move as though they were provoking Han Yun Jin.
…
Meanwhile, the onlookers finally regained their senses at this moment.
“Duan Ling Tian mastered the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon?”
“Isn’t he too lucky? Where did he learn it?”
“I had been thinking about this for some time. Although Fan Qi managed to last longer in the battle after reverting to his true form, he was still defeated moments later. He should be much stronger in his true form, and yet Duan Ling Tian easily killed him. In hindsight, Duan Ling Tian must have mastered some special technique that could overpower Fan Qi.”
“It seems like he obtained the manifestation of the Pine Willow Divine Tree from Fan Qi. As it turns out, Fan Qi’s death only increased Duan Ling Tian’s strength.
The onlookers could not help but be impressed by the sight before their eyes.
Even Sima Yu, Liu Bai Feng, and Sun Xing’s eyes brightened when they saw Duan Ling Tian using the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon.
“Duan Ling Tian is really amazing,” Sima You muttered to himself.
Liu Bai Feng did not say anything. However, her eyes indicated she was not as calm she seemed.
“Interesting.” Sun Xing who had seemed disinterested and lazy looked as though he was in a much better mood as well.
…
Back in the battle ring.
“Duan Ling Tian, do you really think you’ll be able to beat just because you can manifest the Pine Willow Divine Tree using the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon?” Han Yun Jin sneered and said contemptuously, “I’ll teach you a lesson today. You’ll see that even if you’ve mastered the G.o.dly Image Phenomenon and comprehended all the profundities from the law of s.p.a.ce to the mastery stage, they still won’t be able to make up the difference between a Celestial Lord and a Celestial Emperor!”