Ling Tian Sword God

"The King of Golden Buddha, huh?"

Ling Chen’s gaze fell onto that King of Golden Buddha, and a grave look immediately surfaced in his eyes. The four Youth Kings were all extremely renowned; this King of Golden Buddha was the most outstanding figure among the younger generation of Cloud Mud Temple. His Buddha Emperor Golden Body Jue had been cultivated to the ninth level—looking across the whole Cloud Mud Temple, even among those at the Elder level, there were few who had reached such a height.

This person was an absolutely formidable enemy!

Among this group of them, there were probably not many who were qualified to fight a battle with the King of Golden Buddha.

Wei Wuxian.

Ling Yin.

Free and Unrestrained Marquis.

Ling Chen’s gaze swept over the three one by one, when suddenly his mind stirred. Right, there was also a Xuannv.

With that thought, he turned his gaze toward that famed Xuantian Saintess. The latter was so low‑key that he had actually not noticed her before.

However, when Ling Chen’s line of sight shifted onto the face of that white‑robed woman, his body suddenly trembled violently.

In that instant, Ling Chen felt as if separated by a lifetime.

Ling Chen had almost forgotten when it was that he had last seen this face.

But he knew he would never forget what this face looked like.

For three whole years he had heard not the slightest news of Xu Ruoyan. Just when hope was growing ever more faint, Ling Chen had never imagined that he would actually reunite with her here at The summit of Spirit Mountain!

Unable to suppress the wild joy in his heart any longer, Ling Chen strode in great steps toward that Xuannv.

Yet just as he was about to step closer again, a Treasure Sword flashing with cold light appeared in Xuannv’s hand, its tip pointing at Ling Chen’s throat, preventing him from coming any nearer.

"Your Excellency has mistaken me for someone else, has he not?"

Xuannv knitted her willow‑like brows. Her gaze upon Ling Chen was extremely cold, without the slightest trace of emotion, even tinged with a faint hint of repulsion.

"Mistaken you?"

Ling Chen was taken aback, his mind regaining some clarity. But he immediately shook his head. "Impossible. I might mistake anyone, but I could never mistake you. You are Xu Ruoyan, my fiancée."

"I am the Xuantian Saintess of the Great Mysterious Heavenly Dao, not the Xu Ruoyan Your Excellency speaks of."

Xuannv’s brows furrowed even tighter. "I do not recall ever having a betrothal with anyone. Even if I did, it could never be with a complete stranger."

"You truly don’t remember me?"

Ling Chen saw the chill in the depths of Xuannv’s pupils; it was like a bucket of cold water thrown over him, extinguishing even the last trace of joy in his heart.

This bone‑deep coldness could not possibly be a deliberate act.

If she were truly Xu Ruoyan, she would never look at him with such eyes.

"I do not know Your Excellency at all—what talk is there of forgetting?"

Xuannv shook her head. "Perhaps the young lady you know merely resembles me, but I am definitely not her. I must ask Your Excellency not to entangle yourself with me unreasonably again, or do not blame me for being rude."

Just as Ling Chen was about to speak again, from the direction of the southern throne came the slightly mocking voice of the Holy Heart Queen. "Hehe, little brother, your method of picking up girls is a bit old‑fashioned. That one there is the Xuantian Saintess of the Great Mysterious Heavenly Dao, the object of admiration for countless of the younger generation. She’s not someone you can win over with such clumsy tricks."

As these words spread, the gazes others cast at Ling Chen became somewhat peculiar. Seeing how sincere and heartfelt Ling Chen appeared, they had thought he truly knew this ice‑cold beauty Xuannv. Who would have thought this was merely Ling Chen’s way of flirting? This brat, wanting to use such crude means to tease Xuannv—wasn’t that a bit too fanciful?

"Brat, this is the Nine-stream Tournament, The summit of Spirit Mountain! Not a place for you to flirt and talk of love. If you disturb the King‑level battle, you’ll be expelled from here and lose your right to compete for King."

The King of Taisu, seated upon the eastern throne, spoke. He merely swept Ling Chen a glance and gave him a warning.

"Brother Ling Chen."

At this time, Ling Yin also stepped forward and tugged at the sleeve of Ling Chen’s clothes. "This Xuannv is the Saintess of the Great Mysterious Heavenly Dao, the Mythical Elder’s Direct disciple. She is not Xu Ruoyan. The two of them are probably really just similar in appearance."

During this period in the Heavenly Eye Clan, she had often heard Xuannv’s name and had a general understanding of her. At first, she had also thought Xuannv was Xu Ruoyan, but after carefully inquiring, she discovered that Xuannv and Xu Ruoyan were completely people of two different worlds.

Xu Ruoyan simply could not be mentioned in the same breath as this Xuannv.

"Impossible. How could there be two people exactly alike under heaven?"

Ling Chen shook his head. He remembered Xu Ruoyan’s features and smile extremely clearly. This Xuannv before his eyes, aside from a slightly different bearing, was almost exactly the same. In this world, there could never be someone so identical.

But what was the reason that Xu Ruoyan did not remember him at all, treating him entirely as a stranger?

There had to be some cause behind this.

However, for the time being, here at The summit of Spirit Mountain, it was inconvenient for him to press further. Besides, given Xuannv’s attitude toward him, even if he asked more, he would surely not get anything out of her.

"Xu Ruoyan, no matter what has happened to you, one day, I will make you remember everything."

A sharp light flashed in Ling Chen’s eyes. After giving the white‑robed woman before him a deep look, he finally stepped back.

Since he had already found Xu Ruoyan, there was no need to rush their recognition. After this Nine-stream Tournament ended, he would investigate Xuannv’s background thoroughly.

Seeing Ling Chen obediently retreat, Xuannv finally withdrew her Long Sword, though her heart was not entirely without ripples.

When Ling Chen had spoken the three words "Xu Ruoyan" just now, her heart had given a sudden jolt. That name gave her a sense of déjà vu. But when she tried to recall something, her mind was blank, and she could not think of anything.

Could it be that this name truly had something to do with her?

Once she returned this time, she must ask her master clearly.

"Enough useless talk. It’s about time for the King‑level battle to begin."

The King of Golden Buddha swept his gaze over the eleven figures before him, his eyes icy cold and devoid of emotion. "Among you, who will come first?"

Facing the formidable pressure of the King of Golden Buddha, everyone’s expressions involuntarily changed slightly. Just as Wei Wuxian was about to make a move, from behind him, a Bloody-cloth Man shadow was the first to surge forward.

"King of Golden Buddha, I, the Blood Robe Marquis, will be your opponent!"

The Bloody-cloth Man shadow was precisely the Blood Robe Marquis. As he entered the field, from within his sleeve, a Blood-colored chain rapidly extended outward. At both ends of that Blood-colored chain were sharp blades, like a blood‑colored Python flicking its tongue, making one’s hair stand on end.