The moment Ling Feifan unleashed his aura, over a hundred finalists nearest the combat stage instinctively flinched back.
In that instant, it felt as though a blazing flame surged towards them, threatening to reduce them to ashes.
“Terrifying—Ling Xiao’s done for!”
Ling Shuang shook her head. She’d hoped Ling Xiao might hold his own against Ling Yun and vent some frustration on her behalf, but she never imagined he’d be foolish enough to challenge Ling Feifan.
“Not necessarily!”
Ling Yihang, seated beside her, said calmly, “You lot stand up high, forgetting the greatest danger lies beneath your feet. One misstep, and you’ll shatter every bone.”
“You rate that Ling Xiao so highly? Is it because he beat you once?” Ling Shuang asked with a smile.
“Exactly. Only by fighting him do you realise no tricks work against him. He’s a combat genius—sees through everything!” Ling Yihang maintained his composed expression.
He’d thought his relentless knife training might let him overcome Ling Xiao.
Yet, seeing Ling Xiao face Ling Feifan’s terrifying aura without so much as a furrowed brow, he understood.
Not only had he failed to catch up, but Ling Xiao had widened the gap again.
“Hmph, underestimate Ling Xiao, and you’ll be the ones crying.”
Ling Tieshou had clashed with Ling Xiao before—and fought him—so he knew how fearsome he was.
Often, it’s not friends but rivals who truly understand someone.
“This bunch from the Genius Hall are too used to their pride. Today, they’ve met their match. Once they clash, you’ll see how laughable you all are,” Ling Fei said with a wry shake of his head. He’d provoked Ling Xiao once, lost, and kept tabs on him since.
He knew just how terrifying this guy was.
“Show us your strength. I believe you’re not reckless,” Ling Yixue murmured to herself.
“No need for half an hour—one move, and I’ll send you tumbling off the stage!” Ling Feifan declared.
He didn’t bother with theatrics. His right hand clenched into a fist, igniting like a ball of flame, and he hurled it straight at Ling Xiao.
The punch, though plain in appearance, carried horrifying power. One hit could cripple an early fifth-martial-vein warrior.
“It’s over!”
Ling Shuang shook her head, dismissing Ling Yihang’s earlier words.
“No, Ling Feifan’s too cocky—he’ll embarrass himself! That’s how I lost!” Ling Yihang said with a bitter laugh. Back then, he’d underestimated Ling Xiao, thinking a qi-wrapped fist would crush the peak third-martial-vein fighter.
Reality proved Ling Xiao never showed all his cards.
“No way. That punch from Ling Feifan—even Ling Yun or I would be badly hurt without full defence,” Ling Shuang countered, subconsciously convinced Ling Xiao fell short of her and Ling Yun.
“Is that so? Let’s see the outcome,” Ling Yihang replied, saying no more. He turned to the stage, unwilling to miss the spectacle.
“What a foolish strike!”
Ling Xiao sighed. Some top genius.
Ling Feifan was beyond reckless. This was just an internal competition—if he underestimated an unfamiliar foe outside, he’d pay dearly.
Even a winnable fight could turn sour from a moment’s arrogance, leaving him cornered and defeated.
The Ling Clan might shine in Tianfeng City, but in the broader Northern Han Kingdom—or the world—they were leagues behind.
Ling Xiao’s mind drifted to the blue-clad woman he’d seen in the Fulong Mountains.
She couldn’t have been over thirty, yet her power could effortlessly raze Tianfeng City.
Perhaps that moment had shifted his perspective entirely.
Before, his targets were the Four Young Masters of Tianfeng City—people like Ling Xiaotian.
From then on, he yearned to explore the wider world.
What rank would that blue-clad woman hold out there?
These thoughts flickered in an instant.
Facing Ling Feifan’s punch, he didn’t let his guard down.
His hands stayed still, but the *Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique* hummed to life.
*Boom!*
The heavy blow slammed into Ling Xiao, flames erupting, tearing a small gash in the protective barrier behind him.
Startled Ling Clan elders rushed forward, frantically repairing and reinforcing the barrier.
The barrier had cracked—what about Ling Xiao?
Was he dead?
Many peered over with that question.
To their astonishment, Ling Xiao stood unmoved, golden light radiating from him like an invincible war god.
Meanwhile, Ling Feifan, the aggressor, stumbled back two or three metres before steadying himself, his face etched with shock.
What the hell just happened?
Every Ling Clan disciple and elder watching was dumbfounded.
Even those rooting for Ling Xiao hadn’t expected this.
Ling Feifan’s主动 strike hadn’t touched a hair on Ling Xiao, nor even torn his clothes.
And that golden glow—what was it?
What kind of defensive technique was that?
“No wonder you’re so calm—you’ve mastered a top-tier defensive skill!” Ling Feifan said, flexing his numb arm as he snapped out of his daze. “Now you’re worthy of me knowing your name.”
“Heh, pity you’re not worthy of me telling you mine,” Ling Xiao replied coolly. “A greenhouse flower, coddled by so many—how could a so-called genius like you know true strength?”
On the surface, he mocked Ling Feifan, but his words also jabbed at those secretly backing him.
Ling Feifan had been spoiled by them, thinking himself king of the world, blind to how brutal it was beyond the greenhouse.
“Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique! That’s the Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique!” an elder shouted from the stands, leaping up. “And judging by this lad, he’s reached minor mastery—the fifth turn!”
“The top-tier defensive skill *Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique*? Isn’t that notoriously hard to cultivate? He hit the fifth turn without help? Where’d he get all that gold?”
“Right—fifth turn takes at least a million-plus taels of gold!”
“His cultivation’s peak fourth martial vein, but his defence might surpass early fifth. No wonder Ling Feifan’s punch did nothing!”
“This kid’s a freak—mastering the world’s toughest top-tier skill to the fifth turn. In the whole Northern Han Kingdom, under twenty, he’s probably the only one!”
“Hahaha, brilliant lad—I knew I wasn’t wrong about you!” Second Elder Ling roared, likely the happiest there.
He’d been on edge all day, terrified Ling Xiao wouldn’t last a move against Ling Feifan—talk about humiliating.
Now, he realised his eye for talent was spot-on.
Supporting Ling Xiao, befriending him, risking Ling Jiu and Ling Shisan’s wrath—it was all worth it.
