Heavenly Sword Saint
The final battle of the elimination round ended.
Boom!
A Seventh-Stage disciple was sent flying from the platform.
He crashed outside the boundary and rolled several meters before finally coming to a stop.
The supervising elder raised his hand.
"Jian Luo wins."
The crowd erupted.
After waiting for the noise to settle, the elder stepped onto the platform.
"The elimination round is over."
"Sixteen disciples have advanced."
His gaze swept across the training ground.
Then he began reading the names.
"Jian Yuan."
"Jian Ming."
"Jian Huang."
"Jian Wei."
"Jian Shuang."
"Jian Sheng."
"Jian Ling."
"Jian Han."
"Jian Tao."
"Jian Yue."
"Jian Fengyu."
"Jian Qiao."
"Jian Luo."
"Jian Xun."
"Jian Kai."
"Jian Chen."
The final name echoed across the training ground.
The spectators immediately began discussing the remaining competitors.
"Jian Yuan is still the strongest candidate."
"He's a Ninth Stage cultivator. His strength is far above the others."
"Jian Ming, Jian Huang, and Jian Wei are also formidable."
"All three are at the peak of the Eighth Stage."
"Jian Shuang and Jian Sheng shouldn't be underestimated either."
"Both are at the late Eighth Stage."
"Their battle awareness is excellent."
The discussion continued.
Eventually, Jian Chen's name came up.
"Jian Chen is probably the most interesting one."
Several disciples glanced in his direction.
"He's only at the Sixth Stage, yet he still advanced."
"His performance throughout the elimination round has been impressive."
A disciple nearby shook his head.
"Impressive, yes. But we still haven't seen him fight one of the strongest disciples in this competition."
Another disciple immediately disagreed.
"That's not entirely fair."
"Why?"
"Because he fought and defeated Jian Xuan yesterday."
The surrounding disciples fell quiet.
Jian Xuan.
An Eighth Stage cultivator.
The battle from the previous day immediately came to mind.
One disciple nodded.
"That's true."
"Jian Xuan wasn't weak."
Another disciple crossed his arms.
"Of course he wasn't weak. But Jian Ming and Jian Wei are different."
"Their techniques are more refined."
"Their battle experience is also greater."
"So Jian Chen still has something to prove."
A younger disciple smiled.
"That's what the next round is for."
"If he defeats another powerful opponent, then we'll know how far his strength can really go."
The first disciple nodded.
"Fair enough."
"Either way, nobody can deny that Jian Chen is strong."
The conversation gradually shifted back toward the other competitors.
"Jian Yuan is still the one everyone needs to watch."
"His battles ended almost instantly."
"Jian Ming is probably the strongest among the peak Eighth Stage cultivators."
"Jian Huang's saber is terrifying."
"Jian Wei's attacks are extremely fast."
The spectators continued discussing the sixteen.
The supervising elder looked toward the surviving disciples.
"Rest and recover."
"The next stage will begin after everyone has had sufficient time to prepare."
He stepped down from the platform.
The announcement was over.
Some spectators began leaving the training ground.
Others remained behind, discussing the upcoming battles.
Jian Chen paid little attention to them.
His gaze swept across the sixteen disciples.
The weaker competitors had been eliminated.
What remained were the strongest survivors of the elimination round.
Jian Chen had watched most of them fight.
He had paid attention to their cultivation, techniques, footwork, attack patterns, defensive habits, and reactions under pressure.
Now, he evaluated them one by one.
Jian Ming.
Peak Eighth Stage.
His foundation was exceptionally solid.
His movements were efficient, and he rarely wasted spiritual energy.
Jian Huang.
Peak Eighth Stage.
His saber carried tremendous force.
His physical strength was equally impressive.
Jian Wei.
Peak Eighth Stage.
His attacks were fast and precise.
More importantly, he was quick to exploit any opening his opponent revealed.
Jian Shuang and Jian Sheng were both late Eighth Stage cultivators.
Their combat awareness was excellent.
Neither could be underestimated.
Jian Ling possessed powerful palm techniques.
Jian Han had excellent control over his spiritual energy.
Jian Tao had sharp battle instincts.
The remaining Seventh-Stage disciples had also earned their places.
They had survived numerous battles for a reason.
Jian Chen acknowledged their strength.
Against an ordinary cultivator, any one of them could become a serious opponent.
Some could even force Jian Chen to reveal more of his ability.
But none of them truly threatened him especially from what he has seen so far.
His expression remained calm.
Then his gaze moved to the final person.
Jian Yuan.
The Ninth Stage cultivator stood quietly among the remaining disciples.
Jian Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
During the elimination round, Jian Yuan had barely revealed anything.
His battles had ended quickly.
Too quickly.
But Jian Chen had watched closely.
His opponents had not simply been weak.
Jian Yuan had simply never needed to use more strength than necessary.
One attack.
A brief exchange.
Then the battle ended.
There had been no reckless burst of spiritual energy.
No unnecessary technique.
No wasted movement.
Even after defeating his opponent, Jian Yuan's breathing had remained steady.
Jian Chen's gaze became sharper.
That was what mattered.
Jian Yuan wasn't merely powerful.
He possessed control.
Every movement was deliberate.
Every attack carried a clear purpose.
And despite winning so easily...
He had revealed almost nothing.
Jian Chen remained silent for several breaths.
The difference between Jian Yuan and the others wasn't simply their cultivation.
The Ninth Stage represented another level.
The body was stronger.
The spiritual energy was denser.
The foundation was more stable.
Most importantly, the ability to control one's strength had reached another level.
Jian Yuan had already stepped into that realm.
Jian Chen lightly touched the hilt of his sword.
If he underestimated Jian Yuan...
Defeat was possible.
That thought alone was enough to make Jian Chen take him seriously.
The other disciples could challenge him.
They could force him to reveal more of his strength.
But Jian Yuan was different.
He is the only person in this competition whom Jian Chen could not afford to underestimate even after he has broke through last night.
A faint smile appeared on Jian Chen's face.
Interesting.
After so many battles...
He had finally found someone who could push him.
At that moment, the supervising elder's voice echoed across the training ground.
"All disciples who have advanced should return and recover."
"The next stage will begin once the preparations are complete."
The spectators gradually began leaving.
Jian Chen remained where he was for a moment.
His gaze followed Jian Yuan's departing figure.
Then Jian Yuan stopped.
He turned his head slightly.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
Jian Yuan's expression remained calm.
Jian Chen's expression was equally composed.
For several breaths, neither moved.
Then Jian Yuan turned away and continued walking.
Jian Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
He noticed me.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Good.
There was finally someone he could not afford to underestimate.
Jian Chen finally turned away from the training ground.
The elimination round was over.
Sixteen disciples had advanced.
A Ninth-Stage cultivator.
Several Eighth-Stage cultivators.
Several Seventh-Stage cultivators.
And Jian Chen.
The next stage would be different.
There would be far fewer easy victories.
Every battle would matter.
Every mistake could lead to elimination.
And the stronger the opponent...
The more they would be forced to reveal.
Jian Chen rested his hand lightly on the hilt of his sword.
He had already waited long enough.
Now...
He wanted to see who would stand before him.
And if Jian Yuan happened to be his next opponent...
That would be even better.
His gaze briefly returned to Jian Yuan's departing figure.
"Jian Yuan..."
"Let's see how strong you really are."
Then Jian Chen turned and walked away.
The Round of Sixteen was about to begin.