Chapter 521: Geniuses on the Heaven Rankings!
"Take my attack first."
Li Yun moved before his opponent could react. With his sword already drawn, he slashed forward directly, releasing 90% Lightning Intent.
Swish!
A sharp streak of Sword Qi burst forth. It was dazzling and translucent, carrying boundless light like thunder and lightning. Astonishing energy surged within it as it tore through the air and slashed toward Li Fengyan in an instant.
At first, Li Fengyan did not care much. He merely struck out with a casual palm, as though he intended to swat away the attack with ease. However, when his palm print was directly torn apart by the Sword Light, and that Sword Light arrived less than a foot away from him in the blink of an eye, his expression changed drastically.
"Not good!"
Like a startled cat, every hair on his body stood on end. He shifted sideways with all his strength, desperately trying to dodge this fatal sword strike. Unfortunately, how could he possibly avoid a strike that Li Yun had delivered with full force?
Chii!
The Sword Qi descended, yet it only produced a faint, crisp sound.
However, this was definitely not a case of loud thunder with little rain, because a thin bloodstain had suddenly appeared on Li Fengyan’s forehead.
At first, that bloodstain was incredibly fine. But very quickly, it deepened, lengthened, and spread downward. In just three breaths, it had already run through Li Fengyan’s entire body.
With that bloodstain as the center, his entire body was instantly split into two halves.
Hiss!
Seeing this scene, everyone watching could not help sucking in a cold breath.
Even Sun Zhen and Lan Yichen, the two Spirit Ranking experts present, could not help revealing looks of utter shock.
An expert at the 3rd level of Earthly Core Realm had not even gotten the chance to make a proper move before being killed by a single sword strike from Li Yun. Li Yun’s strength was simply too unfathomable and terrifying.
Given his age and cultivation, when looking across the entire Spirit Ranking, he could definitely rank in the top ten. No, perhaps he could even rank in the top five, or possibly even the top three.
"Hahaha! Good, good, very good!"
Just then, a burst of loud laughter suddenly rang out.
Immediately afterward, a chubby, smiling middle-aged man appeared on the martial arena and laughed loudly. "Heroes truly emerge from the younger generation. Those words are not wrong at all. Li Yun, you have truly exceeded this City Lord’s expectations."
This City Lord?
Upon hearing how the chubby middle-aged man addressed himself, the surrounding crowd was startled. Then, they all revealed respectful expressions and bowed. Even Li Yun cupped his hands to show respect.
Although Li Yun was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, and his status was enough to stand on equal footing with the City Lord of Greenmist City, the other party was still an expert at the peak of the Earthly Core Realm. On the path of martial arts, the accomplished were respected, so it was only natural for Li Yun to show a certain level of courtesy.
"Good, good!"
Seeing Li Yun’s humble response, the City Lord laughed even more happily. His eyes almost narrowed into a line as he nodded repeatedly.
"Li Yun, you have already won ten consecutive matches. Next, you only need to wait until the end of the month and go to the prefecture city for the re-examination. For the time being, come stay at my City Lord Manor."
After saying this, the City Lord added in a joking tone, "How about it, Li Yun? You will not refuse this City Lord’s invitation, will you?"
"Since Senior has invited me, this junior naturally cannot decline."
Since the City Lord had already spoken to this extent, Li Yun naturally could not refuse. He nodded straightforwardly and agreed.
Immediately, the City Lord laughed loudly. With a flick of his sleeve, he brought Li Yun along and vanished directly from the martial arena.
Seeing this, the surrounding crowd could not help revealing envious expressions.
Clearly, Li Yun’s performance had alerted the City Lord. For a city lord like him to lower his status and take the initiative to befriend Li Yun was treatment that ordinary people could never receive.
However, Li Yun’s performance had indeed been stunning. If anyone else had been in the City Lord’s position, they would likely have made the same choice.
Under the City Lord’s lead, Li Yun soon arrived at the City Lord Manor.
It was clear that the City Lord valued Li Yun quite highly. The residence he arranged for Li Yun was extremely comfortable and luxurious. Most importantly, it was quiet enough that absolutely no one would disturb him.
This point made Li Yun especially satisfied.
"Li Yun, you can stay here for the time being."
After settling Li Yun’s residence, the City Lord smiled and said, "I still have some matters to handle. Once I finish dealing with them, I will come back and have a proper talk with you."
"This junior will be waiting at any time."
Li Yun smiled faintly. Toward the City Lord’s approachable attitude, he also felt a slight sense of goodwill.
Soon, the City Lord left, and Li Yun settled into the residence.
Interestingly, within the residence, there was actually a copy of the three major rankings compiled by the Heavenly Secret Tower. With a thought, Li Yun picked up the top copy, which recorded the Heaven Ranking, and began reading it carefully.
Heaven Ranking, first place: Yuan Daosheng, thirty-seven years old, ninth heaven of the Heavenly Core Realm, first True Disciple of the Origin Saint Sect. He once resisted a Spirit Manifestation Realm expert without being defeated, and he once fought ten ninth heaven Heavenly Core Realm experts alone, killing all of them.
Heaven Ranking, second place: Jing Xuanming, forty-two years old, ninth heaven of the Heavenly Core Realm, second True Disciple of the Origin Saint Sect. He once fought Yuan Daosheng for three days and three nights before finally losing.
Heaven Ranking, third place: Qin Tianyue, thirty-nine years old, ninth heaven of the Heavenly Core Realm, first True Disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. He once used a single sword to wipe out seven sects within three days, killing five ninth heaven Heavenly Core Realm experts and countless other Heavenly Core Realm experts.
Heaven Ranking, fourth place: Chen Kongxuan, forty-four years old, ninth heaven of the Heavenly Core Realm, first True Disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect. He once single-handedly suppressed a rebellious ancient kingdom for the Profound Heaven Sect, executing every member of that kingdom’s royal family.
Heaven Ranking, fifth place: Feng Yuru, thirty-nine years old, ninth heaven of the Heavenly Core Realm, third True Disciple of the Origin Saint Sect. He has never been seen fighting in public, and his true strength remains unfathomable.