“Alright, I trust Senior Sister’s word, so, Senior Brother Ling Fei, shall we begin?”
“No need to rush me!”
Ling Fei and Ling Xiao stood side by side at the starting line, about a hundred meters ahead, two Ling clan disciples waited.
The rules were simple: race around the two disciples and back, fastest wins.
No flair or leaps required, just speed.
All eyes in the crowd turned to Ling Xiao, eager to see if this boy, who’d already pulled off two miracles, could deliver a third surprise.
“Begin!”
At Ling Yixue’s command, Ling Xiao and Ling Fei shot off, one soaring like a swift, the other charging like a tiger down the mountain, nearly in sync.
But while Ling Fei glided through the air, Ling Xiao ran low, like a tiger on the hunt.
“Hahaha, what’s this nonsense, does he think he’s a tiger?”
“So ugly!”
Some of Ling Fei’s supporters burst into mocking laughter.
Ling Fei smirked inwardly, but he had no time to gawk at Ling Xiao’s form, victory came first.
The jeers stopped cold.
Ling Xiao’s moves were unpolished, true, but his tiger-like sprint whipped up gusts of wind, stirring the air.
His speed matched Ling Fei’s, not a bit slower.
As they rounded the two disciples, they were neck and neck, Ling Fei edging ahead by less than a body length.
Yet everyone knew Ling Xiao had the Explosive Qi Technique up his sleeve!
To keep pace with Ling Fei without it, what would happen if he used it?
Whoosh!
A gust of wind answered them!
On the return, Ling Xiao unleashed his technique, his body streaking like an arrow from a bow, reaching the finish in a flash.
He beat Ling Fei by three body lengths!
“Heavens… this! This guy’s insane!”
Someone leapt up, shouting in disbelief.
Most stood frozen, jaws slack!
They knew what such speed meant, a massive edge in combat.
“How’d he do it? Senior Brother Ling Fei’s speed is already top-tier in the Elite Hall, how could Ling Xiao outrun him by three lengths!”
“He’s a freak, it’s only been two or three days since he hit the library, and he’s mastered light-body skills to this level…”
“No way! Impossible!”
“How could I lose? How!”
Ling Fei’s face drained of color, he collapsed to his knees, dazed.
It was over, years of built-up reputation shattered, and he’d lose a Breakthrough Pill too.
Was the Explosive Qi Technique that strong?
He didn’t buy it, his own brother had trained it once.
Like Ling Xiao, he’d aimed for the same boost, but it proved too draining, unsustainable in practice.
What was up with Ling Xiao?
He couldn’t wrap his head around it.
Using the technique three times in a row, yet still looking fresh? Was this kid a monster?
Whether he understood or not, the match was done.
Ling Xiao won, a clean sweep, Ling Fei crushed.
“In this light-body contest, Ling Xiao takes the win, Junior Brother, you’ve really kept your talents hidden, here’s your Breakthrough Pill!”
Ling Yixue handed him the pill.
She knew Ling Xiao wouldn’t get it from Ling Fei himself, but she didn’t need to ask, Ling Fei would deliver.
Having joined the clan together with similar talents, she’d always kept an eye on Ling Xiao.
As their paths diverged, their interactions dwindled.
Today, she glimpsed the spirited, driven Ling Xiao of old.
“Thanks, Senior Sister! So, everyone, can I go now?”
As Ling Xiao took the pill from Ling Yixue, his fingers brushed her skin.
In that instant, it felt like a shock.
A strange sensation, was this what boys felt for girls? A universal spark at a certain age?
Not bad, he wanted to keep holding her soft, warm hand.
The onlookers seethed with envy, Ling Xiao just smiled faintly, took the pill, said thanks, and headed into the courtyard.
Today’s ordeal was finally over, any more, and he’d be spent, the doctor probably fed up waiting.
The Ling disciples blocking the path parted, clearing a way.
The privilege of strength.
Ling Xiao had beaten Ling Fei fair and square, earning this respect.
“Young master, you’re incredible!”
Far from annoyed, the doctor gave Ling Xiao a thumbs-up, beaming with admiration.
Ling Xiao smiled wryly, If only you were a pretty girl.
“Let’s go, Doctor, I’ve held you up too long today, I’ll make it up to you later.”
“Where to, trash!”
Just as he stepped through the gate, two figures approached, one was Ling Chong, Ling Jiu’s son.
The same unlucky sod whose ribs Ling Xiao had cracked with one move.
In just days, he was back, brimming with energy.
“Went to your place looking for you, couldn’t find you, perfect, since we’ve crossed paths, let’s settle old and new scores, last time you played dirty, today I’ll knock your teeth out! Oh, and break a few ribs too!”
Ling Chong’s face lit up with glee and malice, cooped up healing, he’d nearly lost it.
Every day, he burned for revenge!
Every day, he craved to vent on Ling Xiao.
His father had roughed him up at the library, but that wasn’t enough.
He wanted to crush Ling Xiao himself, humiliate him publicly!
Last time’s one-move loss gnawed at him.
Beside him stood his cousin, a peak second-layer Martial Vein disciple from the main family.
Looked like Ling Chong brought backup, fearing Ling Xiao might bolt.
“What’s going on?”
Ling Yixue noticed the commotion, frowning as she asked.
“Senior Sister, you might not know, before the library, Ling Xiao used cheap tricks to beat Senior Brother Ling Chong in one move, broke his ribs too, Ling Chong’s here for payback,” someone explained.
“Cheap tricks?”
“They say Senior Brother Ling Chong went easy, and Ling Xiao sucker-punched him.”
“You believe that nonsense? When has Ling Chong ever held back in a fight?” Ling Yixue sneered.
Graceful as a fairy, she still knew the clan’s gritty reality and human nature.
She’d faced Ling Xiao’s struggles herself, though her quick progress spared her the worst.
She decided to step in.
Ling Xiao had just faced Ling Fei, his true qi likely drained, against Ling Chong now, he might not hold up.
Unlike her, some were thrilled.
Like Ling Fei, who’d lost to Ling Xiao.
Spotting Ling Chong cornering him, a gleeful smirk spread across his face.
