As the discussions in the audience grew louder, Ling Jianxiao's expression became increasingly grim. He couldn't fathom what Chen Shen was up to. However, to cause such a disturbance during such an important event, his audacity was truly astounding.
Twenty minutes passed, yet Chen Shen's figure still hadn't appeared. The Grand Elder of the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect couldn't help but speak, "Sect Master, since Chen Shen is so late, we cannot keep everyone waiting indefinitely."
"Perhaps we should postpone this match to another day."
Ling Jianxiao, already brimming with anger, was not about to accept the Grand Elder's suggestion. He glanced at the Grand Elder and said, "Postpone it? Ridiculous!"
"For such a significant matter, he dares to be so negligent. If we let this slide, what rules would the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect have left!"
He walked onto the fighting platform and announced loudly to the crowd, "Everyone, you can see the situation for yourselves."
"It is not that we are not giving Chen Shen an opportunity, but rather Chen Shen has forfeited this match himself!"
"Therefore, I have decided to disqualify Chen Shen for forfeiture!"
"Li Xingyun will be the final champion of this match!"
A wave of uproar swept through the entire venue as Ling Jianxiao announced the outcome. No one could believe their ears. What did this mean? Was the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect's once-in-a-millennium event going to end anticlimactically like this?
Li Xingyun and Wu Tian were both stunned. They had prepared thoroughly for this match, but for it to end so abruptly was… unexpected. Li Xingyun took a long time to recover. Did this mean he was now the next Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect? And that he had the qualification to enter the Sword Tomb? My heavens, what was happening!
Just as everyone was reeling from Ling Jianxiao's decision, Ling Jianxiao walked up to Li Xingyun and smiled, "Congratulations, Li Xingyun."
"From this moment on, you will inherit my legacy and become the youngest Sect Master successor in the history of our sect."
The happiness arrived too suddenly, leaving Li Xingyun's mind blank. He remained silent for a long time before finally managing to utter a coherent sentence, "N-no."
"Sect Master, is this truly appropriate?"
"I am merely a low-grade immortal. Having me as the Sect Master successor, are you not joking?"
Ling Jianxiao smiled and replied, "Rules are rules. This has nothing to do with your strength."
"Whoever wins the championship is qualified to inherit the position of Sect Master."
"And now that you are the champion, all of this is the reward you deserve."
He paused, then lowered his voice, "Besides, as long as one can enter the Sword Tomb, their current strength is of little importance."
"If the Sword God approves of your talent, you will undoubtedly undergo a complete transformation after emerging from the Sword Tomb."
Li Xingyun did not fully grasp Ling Jianxiao's meaning. However, since Ling Jianxiao had said as much, he had no reason to object. Thus, he could only nod blankly and say, "Alright, I understand."
Seeing that the matter was settled, the audience members cast envious glances at Li Xingyun. What kind of luck was this to encounter such good fortune! For a moment, many even suspected if Chen Shen's disappearance had anything to do with Wu Tian.
At this moment, Wu Tian also recovered and sighed, "I said it was fate's arrangement."
"It seems this fellow was destined to become the Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect."
Lei Qianjiao said dazedly, "What is this all about? It's truly incredible."
"If that's the case, then among the Eight Great Divine Sects, there would be two Sect Masters in their twenties!"
Wu Tian smiled and replied, "That's about the gist of it."
"That's why I say, it's all fate's arrangement. We just need to go with the flow."
With the competition concluded, it was time for the most crucial part of the event. Ling Jianxiao addressed the crowd, "Everyone, please accompany me to witness the opening of the Sword Tomb."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up with excitement. After all, for most of them, the Sword Tomb had always been a legendary place, except for a few old powerhouses. To have the opportunity to witness its opening was undoubtedly a thrilling prospect. Even Wu Tian's eyes brightened considerably. He, too, was filled with curiosity about this mysterious Sword Tomb.
Led by Ling Jianxiao, everyone moved to a certain location within the Sword Domain. This area was quite distant from the architectural district and was guarded by individuals of the Golden Immortal level. Not to mention the disciples, even many elders of the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect had never been here before.
"Wow…" Upon reaching their destination, exclamations of awe erupted one after another. Even some Sect Masters were deeply impressed by the sight before them. A colossal statue stood majestically ahead! The statue clearly depicted a man, clad in ancient attire, holding a long sword, as if looking down upon the world! A sharp aura emanated from the statue, causing even Great Golden Immortals to feel a hint of pressure!
"Could this be the statue of the Sword God?" Wu Tian gazed up at the statue, murmuring to himself. From this statue alone, he sensed an aura similar to that of the Thunder God. Truly, a Heavenly King was a Heavenly King. Even a mere statue inspired a sense of reverence within him.
Li Xingyun and Ling Jianxiao stood at the forefront. At this moment, Li Xingyun looked up at the statue, his neck almost craning backward. "My heavens, is this the Sword God? He's incredibly handsome!" he exclaimed.
Ling Jianxiao smiled and said, "This is nothing."
"You'll get to see the real person later."
"Ah?!" These words startled Li Xingyun considerably. He turned to look at Ling Jianxiao, his eyes wide with surprise, "Sect Master, what do you mean by this?"
"Didn't the Sword God already perish? Why would I be able to see him?"
Ling Jianxiao chuckled, not answering the question. He then drew the long sword from behind him. His expression became exceptionally solemn, and he suddenly called out to the statue, "Sword God!"
"I am Ling Jianxiao, the current Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect!"
"A millennium has passed, and we have selected the next Sect Master."
"Please, Sword God, open the Sword Tomb and bestow your supreme fortune!"
With that, Ling Jianxiao pointed his long sword towards the sky. A pure and potent sword energy immediately shot upwards, piercing the heavens. In an instant, sword energy crisscrossed the sky, as if stirring up an unimaginable sword blade storm. Subsequently, the sword energy converged into a golden sword projection, which descended directly onto the statue.