Morning mist rolled gently across the mountains of the Heavenly Sword Palace, covering the endless peaks in a silver veil.
Yet today, the usual tranquility of the sect had completely disappeared.
From every direction, disciples were traveling toward the central mountain where the Heavenly Arena stood.
The Heavenly Sword Tournament had officially been announced.
For the next month, the entire sect would focus on one thing — preparing for battle.
Paths that were usually empty were now crowded with disciples discussing strategies, techniques, and rumors.
Among them, one name appeared again and again.
"Have you heard? Senior Brother Zhao Tian is participating."
"I heard Senior Sister Yun Mei will also compete this year."
"Of course she will. She reached the late stage of the Celestial Realm two years ago."
"But the most terrifying one should be Han Qiu, the Ice Sword Prodigy."
"That monster again…"
Whispers filled the mountain paths.
These names were not ordinary disciples.
They were the strongest sword geniuses of the Heavenly Sword Palace.
Many of them had already reached terrifying cultivation levels, and some had even challenged elders in sparring matches.
For most disciples, the tournament was a chance to witness legends.
But for a few individuals…
It was a battlefield.
Far from the noisy paths, Silent Sword Peak remained as quiet as ever.
Lin Feng stood alone near the edge of the cliff.
The wind brushed past his robes as he gazed toward the distant arena mountain.
His expression remained calm.
Yet within his mind, countless sword movements flowed like a river.
During the past month, he had continued refining his Azure Sword Art, focusing on eliminating unnecessary movements and perfecting every strike.
A true sword cultivator did not rely on brute strength.
The sword must move with precision.
Every strike had to carry purpose.
Lin Feng slowly closed his eyes.
His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword.
Then—
His body moved.
The blade flashed from its sheath.
Shing!
The sound of steel cutting through air echoed across the peak.
Lin Feng stepped forward lightly, his movements smooth and natural.
His sword cut forward in a simple arc.
There was no flashy technique.
Yet the air in front of him split apart as if sliced by an invisible blade.
Azure energy flowed around the edge of the sword.
This was the essence of Azure Sword Art.
Control.
Absolute control.
Lin Feng's body turned slightly.
Another strike followed.
This time the sword moved faster.
A second rock several meters away shattered instantly.
Lin Feng lowered his sword slowly.
He exhaled softly.
The sword returned to its sheath.
For a moment, silence returned to the peak.
Then a voice suddenly spoke from behind him.
"Your sword has improved again."
Lin Feng turned.
Standing a short distance away was a tall man wearing the robes of an inner disciple.
His long hair was tied behind his back, and a slender sword rested at his waist.
This was Jiang Chen, one of the stronger disciples within the sect.
Although they were not close friends, the two had occasionally trained together.
Lin Feng nodded slightly.
"You came early."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly.
"The entire sect is preparing for the tournament. Only you are still hiding on this quiet mountain."
Lin Feng didn't respond.
Jiang Chen crossed his arms and looked toward the arena mountain.
"You are participating, right?"
"Yes."
Jiang Chen chuckled.
"Good."
His expression suddenly became serious.
"Because this year's tournament will not be easy."
Lin Feng waited.
Jiang Chen continued.
"Several disciples who were training outside the sect have returned."
"Some of them have reached terrifying levels."
He began listing names.
"Han Qiu."
"Zhao Tian."
"Yun Mei."
"And…"
Jiang Chen paused.
"There is also someone new."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow slightly.
"A masked swordsman."
Jiang Chen's tone lowered.
"No one knows his identity."
"But during a training match yesterday…"
"He defeated three inner disciples with only three strikes."
Lin Feng listened quietly.
Jiang Chen shrugged.
"The elders allowed him to register for the tournament."
"That means he must have some kind of recommendation."
The wind blew across the mountain.
Lin Feng remained silent for a moment.
Then he said calmly,
"The stronger the opponents…"
"…the better."
Jiang Chen laughed.
"I expected that answer."
He stepped back toward the mountain path.
"Well, I'll see you at the arena soon."
With that, he left.
Lin Feng remained alone again.
His gaze returned to the distant arena.
The Heavenly Sword Tournament had not even begun yet.
But the atmosphere of competition was already spreading through the sect.
After a moment, Lin Feng turned and walked back toward his small wooden residence.
He needed to prepare.
Three days later.
The mountain housing the Heavenly Arena had become the center of attention for the entire sect.
Thousands of disciples had gathered around the massive arena.
The structure itself was enormous.
A circular battlefield carved from ancient stone stretched across the peak.
Sword marks covered the surface, each one left behind by powerful cultivators from past tournaments.
Above the arena stood several elevated platforms where the Elder Council would observe the battles.
At this moment, disciples filled every seat surrounding the arena.
Excitement filled the air.
A group of disciples suddenly began whispering loudly.
"They're here!"
"Who?"
"The top disciples!"
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
Several powerful figures were walking toward the arena.
The first was a tall man wearing dark robes.
Cold sword aura surrounded him like frost.
"Han Qiu…"
Many disciples instinctively stepped back as he passed.
His reputation as the Ice Sword Prodigy was well known.
Behind him came a woman dressed in elegant white robes.
Her presence was calm, yet her gaze was sharp.
"Senior Sister Yun Mei."
Another wave of whispers spread through the crowd.
More powerful disciples arrived one after another.
Each one carried the aura of a formidable sword cultivator.
Then—
A quiet figure entered the arena.
Lin Feng.
Unlike the others, he drew little attention at first.
His robes were simple.
His presence calm.
Yet as he walked past several disciples, a few of them recognized him.
"Isn't that Lin Feng?"
"The one from Silent Sword Peak?"
"I heard he defeated several inner disciples last year."
More whispers began spreading.
Lin Feng ignored them.
He walked calmly toward the participant area.
Just as he arrived—
Another figure appeared.
The crowd suddenly fell silent.
The man wore dark robes with a hood covering his face.
A thin black mask hid his features completely.
At his waist rested a narrow sword.
No one recognized him.
Yet the moment he stepped into the arena…
A powerful sword aura spread through the air.
Even the stronger disciples frowned.
This man was dangerous.
The masked swordsman's gaze slowly moved across the arena.
For a brief moment…
His eyes stopped on Lin Feng.
Neither of them spoke.
But the tension between sword cultivators did not require words.
Then the masked man turned away.
High above the arena, the elders had already taken their seats.
The Grand Elder stood at the center of the platform.
He raised his hand.
Instantly, the entire arena became silent.
"The Heavenly Sword Tournament…"
"…begins today."
His voice echoed across the mountain.
"Only one disciple will claim the title of Heavenly Sword Disciple."
A massive stone tablet rose from the center of the arena.
Names began appearing on its surface.
The first matches were being announced.
The crowd erupted with excitement.
Lin Feng looked at the stone tablet calmly.
His name slowly appeared on the list.
His first opponent had been decided.
A faint breeze passed across the arena.
Lin Feng rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
The tournament had begun.
And countless sword geniuses were about to clash.
But for Lin Feng…
This was only the first step.
The true battle had yet to begin.