After Ling Xiao defeated Li Xinghui, Ling Chen fainted from rage.
Li Xinghui, too, was gravely injured and unable to rise.
As a result, both the second and fourth positions were left vacant.
Following a fierce competition, two women unexpectedly joined the ranks of Tianfeng City’s Four Young Masters.
The final rankings were: Ling Xiao, Shi Yulian, Ling Yixue, and Ling Yihang!
The former Four Young Masters had completely changed.
The Ling family shone brightest, with three of their members claiming spots among the Four Young Masters.
Yet within the Ling family, few rejoiced. Ling Xiao and Ling Yixue were recruited outsiders, and Ling Yihang was from a branch family.
Not a single one was a direct descendant of the main Ling clan, leaving many of the family’s higher-ups feeling humiliated.
Especially the three Supreme Elders. Had they stuck to their recommended list of four, only Ling Chen might have made it into the Four Young Masters today.
Of course, though they felt the sting of disgrace, these three were still Ling family disciples, so there was no real cause for alarm.
But the other three major families saw things differently.
Witnessing the Ling family’s rise filled them with unease.
Inside the Li family’s pavilion.
“Clan Leader, we just received word—the one who killed Li Xingyun was none other than that Ling Xiao!”
“What? Is the source reliable?”
“Absolutely. Our people had nearly confirmed it already, with Ling Xiao as the prime suspect. This just seals it.”
“Ling Xiao! Hmph! He must not return to the Ling family alive. This time, I’ll handle it myself!”
The Li Clan Leader’s hatred wasn’t just because Ling Xiao killed Li Xingyun.
It was also because Ling Xiao’s victory over Li Xinghui had brought shame to the Li family.
And most importantly, Ling Xiao’s potential was too terrifying. He couldn’t allow such a person to keep growing, or he’d become uncontrollable.
He was confident that with his seventh-stage Martial Vein cultivation, killing Ling Xiao would be child’s play.
All he needed was the right opportunity.
“Clan Leader, there are people within the Ling family who also want Ling Xiao dead. Finding that opportunity won’t be hard.”
“Good. Let’s move.”
The Li Clan Leader stood, bowed to the Tianfeng City Lord in farewell, and led his family away to set their plan to ambush Ling Xiao in motion.
…
With the Tianfeng Grand Assembly concluded, the top ten received rewards from the City Lord.
Those ranked fifth to tenth agreed to serve the imperial court, earning official positions. From now on, they’d hold status in Tianfeng City.
As for the top four.
Ling Xiao, Ling Yixue, and Ling Yihang all declined titles.
Their ambitions stretched far beyond the confines of little Tianfeng City.
The world was vast, and they yearned to explore it.
As for Shi Yulian, being the City Lord’s daughter, there was no question of accepting a title.
Still, the four received other rewards: each got 100 Aura Pills and 10 low-grade Spirit Stones.
Aura Pills needed no introduction. For those below the seventh stage of the Martial Vein, they were the best for advancing cultivation and restoring aura.
The City Lord’s mansion was indeed wealthy, gifting 100 pills per person.
As for the low-grade Spirit Stones, they were even more precious than Aura Pills. They were commonly used in transactions among martial artists, as many items could only be bought with Spirit Stones—gold and silver were often scorned.
Moreover, Spirit Stones were treasures used by martial artists above the seventh stage—the Explosive Aura stage, or Martial Masters—to enhance cultivation and replenish True Essence.
At the Awakening stage, inner energy was True Qi.
At the Aura stage, it became Aura.
At the Explosive Aura stage, it transformed into True Essence.
Thus, advancing from the sixth to the seventh stage of the Martial Vein wasn’t just a step up in realm—it was a qualitative leap.
“Ling Xiao!”
Suddenly, the unconscious Ling Chen shouted.
Ling Xiao, who had just collected his rewards, frowned and glanced over.
Ling Chen had awakened. He glared at Ling Xiao coldly, his voice dripping with venom. “Ling Xiao! Don’t think beating Li Xinghui makes you stronger than me. Once I recover, you’ll see what true power looks like.”
“You?” Ling Xiao sneered. “Someone I’ve left behind will never surpass me again. If I can’t even manage that, then I, Ling Xiao, would be too pathetic.”
He had that confidence.
He *had* to have that confidence.
With a trump card as powerful as the Mountain River Martial Soul, if he still let someone overtake him, he might as well find a block of tofu and smash his head against it.
“You’ll see soon enough. Take me back!”
Ling Chen couldn’t bear to look at Ling Xiao any longer. Every glance filled him with unbearable frustration, the kind that could drive a man to death from sheer rage.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Four figures mingled among the smaller families, preparing to depart.
“With the Tianfeng Grand Assembly over, I’d say the four major families of Tianfeng City are nothing special. Aside from Li Xinghui and Ling Xiao being worth noting, there’s no need to bother persuading them. Why not just wipe them all out?”
One of them spoke with disinterest.
“Nonsense. Though the human race is weakened, it’s rich in resources and vast in territory. Right now, it’s a free-for-all among the myriad races, all vying for human lands. Our Ninja Clan is new here—we need to build our own forces as much as possible.”
Another rebuked in a low voice.
“What if they refuse to submit?”
A third asked.
“No mercy—kill them all!”
The first replied.
“Understood.”
“Then let’s move. Each of us takes one of Tianfeng City’s four major families. Go!”
With that, the four vanished from the spot.
Moments later, the Li family was on their way back.
The Li Clan Leader suddenly raised a hand, signaling everyone to stop.
“Who are you?”
A figure stood on the road ahead, wearing a strange headband engraved with the character “忍” (Ninja). His attire, mannerisms, and speech were starkly different from those of the human race.
“Mid-seventh stage Martial Vein cultivation. Li Clan Leader, your strength is impressive. But can you withstand a single strike from me?”
With that, the man attacked. His body trembled, True Essence exploding outward, steam-like wisps rising around him.
This was a hallmark of an Explosive Aura stage martial artist.
That apparent steam was the effect of burning True Essence.
The so-called Explosive Aura referred to this combustion of True Essence.
Once a martial artist in the Explosive Aura stage ignited their True Essence, their combat power multiplied. The higher the realm, the greater the boost. This was the real reason sixth-stage martial artists couldn’t stand against them.
Crucially, burning True Essence had no negative side effects, as long as it wasn’t overdone.
The Li Clan Leader’s expression shifted. The opponent looked barely twenty yet was also an Explosive Aura stage expert, no weaker than himself.
He didn’t dare hesitate and immediately chose to burn his True Essence as well.
The next moment, they moved simultaneously.
They clashed midair with a single strike.
The man with the “Ninja” headband attacked in an utterly bizarre way. Though he used True Essence, his techniques left the Li Clan Leader dumbfounded.
In his hands, aura morphed into gear-like shapes, spinning wildly with a sensation of slicing through anything.
Despite the Li Clan Leader’s desperate resistance, he was outmatched. He was sent flying, a deep, bone-exposing gash appearing on his chest.
Both controlled their True Essence with precision. Though their attacks were powerful, not a trace of energy was wasted.
“Who are you? My Li family has no grudge with you. Why ambush us here?”
The Li Clan Leader was in disbelief. His cultivation matched the opponent’s, yet he was thoroughly outclassed—something he couldn’t comprehend.
