Chapter 1016: Tang San vs. The World-Sundering Sword

Tang San had drawn number one, which meant he would be the first to compete in today's match. Moreover, the winner of this match would be the first to enter the semifinals.

A few moments later, the other contestants also began drawing lots, but no one else displayed their number openly like Tang San did. Preventing opponents from preparing in advance was basic tactics.

The calm voice of the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor rang out again. "The first pair, go on the platform."

The eight sharp spikes on Tang San's back pushed against the ground, propelling him up and landing him on the platform.

At the same time, not far from the VIP pavilion where he had been, another figure leaped into the air, shooting toward the part of the platform opposite to where Tang San stood.

A seeded contestant!

Without even turning his head, Tang San already knew that his draw this round was against a seed. The next moment, he sensed who his opponent was, and his expression turned rather odd.

Is this what bad karma feels like?

Ning Chen'en also craned his neck to see who had such luck, secretly regretting that his own number wasn't two. Of course, he had hoped to draw Tang San. The next moment, his eyes widened, just in time for the entire arena to erupt in uproar.

Whoa, is this the first match? Why is there such a difference in strength?! How boring...

Without the statue, Tang San was undoubtedly seen by all as the weakest among the eighteen contestants in this third round. And his opponent, landing almost simultaneously across from him, had already been praised as a super-strong contestant in previous rounds, one of the people with the best chance of making it to the end of the Battle for the Throne. He was most definitely among the favorites.

"If I've ever seen karma happening, this must be it! Is this the price of using the Sword Saint Demon Emperor's statue?" Ning Chen'en, after his brief disappointment, now felt a bit of schadenfreude.

The figure standing before Tang San wore a calm expression, no different from when he faced other opponents. He was none other than Qiu Zixuan, the top genius of the Red-Crowned Crane lineage, heir to the Sword Saint Demon Emperor, and one whose very first strike in this competition had earned him the title of World-Sundering Sword.

Yes, Tang San's luck was downright abysmal—to draw in the final qualification round an opponent who, based on previous matches, ranked among the top five in strength.

At this moment, the referee descended from the sky. The referee for this match happened to be Tang San's patron and most favorite boss, and perhaps the strongest Emperor alive, Sunborne himself.

Seeing who Tang San's opponent was, the Sunborne Nymph Emperor was surprised, and a rather peculiar look emerged on his face.

Among all the Emperors, only he knew what Tang San's trump card was. Well, at least, so he believed. But could the Scourge Dragon help Tang San block Qiu Zixuan's World-Sundering Sword? These top Great Demon Kings, especially seeded contestants, all had strength approaching that of an Emperor. And while "approaching Emperor level" still meant they fell far short of a true Emperor, Tang San's Scourge Dragon had just been contracted. There was no way they'd have much rapport yet. Moreover, the Scourge Dragon's true combat strength was still uncertain, while Qiu Zixuan's terrifying burst power had been witnessed by all. If the Scourge Dragon couldn't block him, Tang San would surely lose. And blocking him was no easy task.

Still, the Sunborne Nymph Emperor held out some hope for Tang San. At least his view differed from the audience's assumption that Tang San was bound to lose.

Tang San bowed to the Sunborne Nymph Emperor, and on the other side, Qiu Zixuan also saluted.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor nodded in response. "Contestants, prepare."

Under the scrutinizing gaze of so many eyes, the Sunborne Nymph Emperor naturally wouldn't show any bias. In fact, he wouldn't have shown bias anyway. After helping Tang San subdue the Scourge Dragon, he had developed a whole new opinion of this Blue Gold Tree clan leader. What he most hoped to see now was whether Tang San could defy the odds and create a miracle when facing such a strong opponent.

Qiu Zixuan closed his eyes, and his sword intent instantly solidified. At this moment, he seemed to vanish entirely, leaving only the sword between heaven and earth. His powerful sword intent soared sky-high but did not dissipate; instead, his momentum climbed rapidly. There was no illusory light or shadow, only the mighty blade of sword energy that seemed ready to cleave heaven and earth apart.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor's gaze subconsciously turned to Tang San. His divine consciousness was so powerful that just from the sword intent Qiu Zixuan emitted, he felt Tang San was in real danger. The Scourge Dragon was technically stronger than any participant in this tournament, but its strength lay in overall might, not instantaneous bursts. Its annihilation energy was also not something that could be controlled so easily. In other words, Qiu Zixuan's all-out style was the perfect counter to the Scourge Dragon. In other words, Tang San's new friend even risked perishing if he was unable to withstand the strike.

But to the Sunborne Nymph Emperor's surprise, Tang San did not summon the Scourge Dragon.

He just stood there calmly, the projection of a tree full of life energy appearing behind him. Pure life energy swirled around him; in terms of appearance alone, it was every bit on par with his opponent's manifestation. Even the Sunborne Nymph Emperor felt rather comfortable sensing that pure life energy.

"Are you ready?" he couldn't help but ask. Was Tang San planning to concede without summoning the Scourge Dragon?

Tang San grinned at him and said, "I am ready, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern."

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor's mouth twitched. If he planned to concede, why not say so now? Was he waiting to get killed?

But even as the strongest Emperor alive, he could ask no further questions now; otherwise, his fairness and impartiality would be called into question.

He truly didn't want to see Tang San die. Yet everything pointed to the young man courting death.

He glanced at Qiu Zixuan. Qiu Zixuan seemed unaware of what Tang San was doing; he was still standing with eyes closed, and his sword intent was steadily rising.

"Match... begin..." The Sunborne Nymph Emperor slowly announced the start of the match, deliberately drawing out his words in hopes Tang San would declare surrender. But Tang San remained silent, focused on his opponent.

This kid... Is he really intent on dying here? What the hell is he thinking?

In that moment, the Sunborne Nymph Emperor even felt a flicker of anger, but he could delay no longer. He turned into a golden-red light soaring skyward, while the barrier between the two contestants started to fade.

Sunborne's right hand tensed up, looking more like an eagle's claw. Against Qiu Zixuan's World-Sundering Sword, even he had to prepare in advance if he wanted to intervene. The sword was simply too fast. He feared that if he lost focus for an instant, Tang San might no longer be there by the time he noticed it.

The instant the barrier vanished entirely, Qiu Zixuan's unmatched sword intent exploded forth. His pitch-black long sword slashed out like lightning; his body and his sword were united as one, turning into unparalleled brilliance.

In that instant, the heavens dimmed, as if the entire sky had been cleaved apart by the strike.

The Sunborne Nymph Emperor's right hand instinctively reached out, but just as it did, it halted midair. His eyes showed a flash of astonishment.

That was because the very instant Qiu Zixuan made his move, Tang San did the same.

He... crouched!