“This…”
Ling Shisan and Ling Jiu’s expressions soured, they hadn’t expected Ling Xiaotian to step in and defend Ling Xiao.
But they didn’t dare defy Ling Xiaotian’s words.
“Thank you, Patriarch, for giving Ling Xiao this chance!”
A look of delighted surprise spread across Ling Xiao’s face.
However, Ling Feifan’s brows furrowed slightly, seemingly displeased that someone could share the same privileges as him.
Ling Feifan cast a fleeting glance at Ling Shisan.
He was aware that Ling Shisan had hired assassins to kill Ling Xiao.
Three expert black-scarf thieves had been sent, yet they failed to take Ling Xiao’s life.
This Ling Xiao might not be as simple as he appeared.
Ling Feifan rubbed his chin, sinking into thought.
Meanwhile, Ling Shisan’s mind was in turmoil, he knew the strength of those three black-scarf thieves better than anyone, yet even they couldn’t kill Ling Xiao, just how powerful had Ling Xiao become?
“Ling Xiao!”
The head referee’s voice boomed, “Get on the stage now, a warrior will challenge you soon, if you win, you can join the grand finals, if you lose, no more nonsense, understood?”
“Understood!”
Ling Xiao nodded.
To be precise, it was one hundred and nine people, aside from Ling Feifan, Ling Xiao was confident he could defeat any of them, the only difference being the degree of difficulty.
So he wasn’t worried.
“Then go.”
“Yes!”
With a light leap, Ling Xiao landed on the combat platform, then cupped his hands and said, “Please, offer your guidance!”
Ling Yihang’s gaze met Ling Xiao’s, and the two exchanged a smile.
Though Ling Xiao had defeated Ling Yihang in the elimination rounds, Ling Yihang didn’t hold a grudge, he was a free-spirited martial fanatic obsessed with growing stronger.
Then, Ling Xiao’s eyes met Ling Yixue’s, her gaze carrying a hint of warmth and concern.
Ling Xiao nodded in gratitude.
They didn’t talk much, but their bond had quietly deepened over time.
“If no one’s stepping up, I’ll test your strength myself!”
After a moment, someone stood up from the crowd.
He was in the second row, fifth seat, meaning he was currently ranked fifteenth in the Genius Hall.
“How should I address you, Senior Brother?”
Ling Xiao asked, cupping his hands.
“Why waste words? You’ll be out of here soon anyway.”
This fifteenth-ranked disciple seemed impatient with Ling Xiao, leaving Ling Xiao puzzled, he didn’t recall offending this person.
“Isn’t that Ling Ji? He’s one of Senior Brother Feifan’s die-hard fans, isn’t he?”
“No wonder, Ling Xiao getting the same privileges as Senior Brother Feifan must have ticked him off.”
Ling Ji was three years older than Ling Xiao, sixteen this year, with a well-built, muscular frame.
He specialised in defensive martial arts, his cultivation at the early stage of Martial Vein Fourth Layer.
Normally, even mid-stage Martial Vein Fourth Layer warriors avoided fighting him.
Think about it, hitting someone who doesn’t even flinch while you exhaust yourself, it’s not exactly a pleasant experience.
“With that attitude, I won’t let you leave this stage in one piece, your grand finals end here this year!”
Ling Xiao wasn’t some pushover.
Especially after his beggar relatives were killed and he himself was targeted by hired assassins.
Such experiences had hardened his resolve and decisiveness.
If you’re always soft-hearted, people will think you’re an easy target.
“Brat, you’ll pay for those words! Don’t think I’m scared of you just because you’re at the peak of Martial Vein Fourth Layer!”
Ling Ji faced Ling Xiao without a shred of fear.
In his view, though Ling Xiao’s realm was higher, he was younger, lacking in strength and combat experience compared to him.
“Heh, with Ling Ji stepping in, Ling Xiao’s in trouble, even when Ling Yihang challenged earlier, he didn’t dare pick Senior Brother Ling Ji, that top-tier defensive martial art is just too terrifying, already at the minor success stage.”
“Right, Ling Ji once wore down a peak Martial Vein Fourth Layer warrior to death.”
“What’s the use of getting a chance from the patriarch? He’ll still end up leaving.”
Ling Ji’s entry excited those who disliked Ling Xiao.
Though Ling Xiao outranked him in cultivation, they believed Ling Ji’s real combat experience was superior, even if he couldn’t win easily, he could exhaust Ling Xiao to death.
“Tyrant Fist!”
Ling Ji used an advanced martial technique.
But this technique was a bit unique.
Its power scaled with the user’s defensive strength.
Ling Ji specialised in a top-tier defensive martial art, paired with Tyrant Fist, the resulting power likely rivalled that of a top-tier martial technique.
With one punch, his body gleamed like black iron, his fist wrapped in a dark aura, as if forged from tough steel, radiating a metallic sheen.
The force of this punch was probably on par with a top-tier martial technique at minor success.
It turned out to be an advanced martial technique at major success, no wonder.
Combined with the boost from his defensive martial art, its power indeed matched a top-tier technique at minor success.
Ling Xiao felt a spark of excitement, his opponent’s combination gave him some inspiration.
Just like the set of martial arts he’d first practised, martial techniques weren’t standalone, if paired well, they could enhance each other.
“Senior Brother Ling Ji’s punch is no joke, it’s probably not weaker than a late-stage Martial Vein Fourth Layer warrior!”
“Exactly, even if it doesn’t beat Ling Xiao, it’ll make him suffer a bit, teach him there’s always someone better.”
The Genius Hall disciples knew Ling Ji well, naturally favouring him in their discussions and leaning heavily towards his side.
Ling Xiao smiled and casually raised his hand to meet it.
No martial technique.
No gang qi.
Just a simple extension of his hand.
This scene stunned everyone present.
Blocking that punch without even using a technique, did Ling Xiao think he was Ling Feifan?
Even Ling Feifan wouldn’t dare underestimate an opponent like this.
“You little punk, you dare look down on me!”
Ling Ji was furious.
The only person who’d ever beaten him like this was Ling Feifan.
Since then, he’d been utterly devoted to Ling Feifan.
He didn’t want a second person like that, no one could replace Ling Feifan’s place in his heart!
“I’ll cripple you!”
Originally, Ling Ji had held back some gang qi for the challenges ahead, but Ling Xiao’s dismissive attitude pushed him over the edge, he unleashed his full power.
In that instant, his skin turned pitch-black, his entire body resembling a statue forged from dark iron.
“Boom!”
“Get off the stage!”
On the combat platform, Ling Xiao stood motionless, while Ling Ji charged forward at incredible speed.
Then their fists collided.
Ling Ji’s terrifying gang qi splashed outward, visibly warping the platform’s protective barrier.
Thankfully, it had been reinforced and didn’t break.
Ling Ji’s face was full of fervor.
But the outcome that followed was beyond his comprehension.
“Crack!”
“Crack, crack, crack!”
The sound of breaking bones rang out.
Ling Ji’s expression shifted from fervor and rage to shock and agony.
The bones in both his arms shattered, the damage extending up to his shoulders.
Though he didn’t fly off the stage, the bones in both arms were completely fractured.
It felt like he hadn’t punched a person, but rather slammed his fists into a mountain forged of steel.
