Taking advantage of the enveloping mist, Ling Xiao seized Jin Ming’s martial soul, the Mammoth Martial Soul.
This is another animal-type martial soul, belonging to the ancient demonic beast series, such a soul would fetch a high price if sold outside.
After a brief hesitation, Ling Xiao handed it over to his Thunder Bear Martial Soul to devour.
Devouring a martial soul of the same type yields better results.
In an instant, the Thunder Bear Martial Soul advanced from a transparent form to a virtual form, and it even faintly carried the aura of an ancient demonic beast.
This was an unexpected discovery.
It turns out that not only fusion but also devouring can occasionally retain some advantageous traits of the martial soul.
Thus far, Ling Xiao’s virtual martial souls have increased to three: the Dark Cloud Martial Soul, the Blood Shadow Martial Soul, and the Thunder Bear Martial Soul.
As for the Ghost Ship Martial Soul and the Giant Sword Martial Soul, they remain at the transparent stage of complete souls.
Transparent, virtual, physical, these are the three stages of a newly formed complete martial soul.
But beyond that, they can grow even stronger.
“Reporting to the Tower Master, Jin Ming is dead!”
After inspecting Jin Ming’s condition, a Death Tower guard reported to the Tower Master.
“Dead!”
“Could it be that Ling Xiao used a soul attack?”
“It’s entirely possible, this lad’s soul, body, and internal energy are all comprehensively developed! Too terrifying.”
Upon hearing of Jin Ming’s death, the crowd below descended into chaos.
Jin Ming had died just like that, leaving many outer sect disciples unable to accept or comprehend it, as if awakening from a strange dream.
“Congratulations to Ling Xiao, he has completely triumphed in all four death challenges today! He will receive a special reward!”
The expression beneath the Tower Master’s ghostly mask was invisible, but many felt he was likely smiling.
A special reward?
Ling Xiao was momentarily stunned, when he proposed the death challenge, the Death Tower guard had said there would be no rewards.
“You might find it strange, why is there a reward?”
The Tower Master indeed let out a laugh.
“Because this Tower Master is in a good mood today.”
This must be the whimsy of a master, making such a promise simply because he was pleased.
“Ling Xiao, come alone to the Death Tower tomorrow night, and this Tower Master will tell you what the reward is, rest assured, it will not disappoint you.”
With that, he leapt into the air, vanishing instantly into the mountains.
Truly whimsical, coming and going as he pleased.
But with his departure, the crowd’s focus shifted back to Ling Xiao.
Killing four opponents in one battle.
All of whom were either formerly or currently ranked among the top ten in the outer sect.
Ling Xiao’s fearsome reputation was likely solidified in the outer sect after this event.
“Elusive movement techniques, unparalleled defence, and a terrifyingly powerful soul, this guy is too frightening! Below the Mortal Realm, he has no equal! No, even Mortal Realm First Layer martial artists might not be his match!”
Elder White’s expression was one of excitement.
Although such strength was still insignificant to him, this was undoubtedly a piece of unpolished jade, with just a bit of refinement, it could be shaped into the most brilliant gem in the world.
Nothing could make him happier than nurturing a genius martial artist.
After all, as an outer sect elder, this was his duty.
The world of sects is vast, far larger than the secular world.
Although the Moon Flower Sect is one of the twelve great sects, this is only within the Human Sacred Dynasty.
On the Tianlong Continent, there are countless terrifying sects.
To stand firm in such a world, without the emergence of exceptionally talented geniuses, it is simply impossible.
The older generation is aging and may even be abandoned by time, only these young talents are the future.
“Do you think Ling Xiao can defeat Wang Feng?”
“Hard to say, Wang Feng, the top-ranked, has been in seclusion for three whole months, who knows how much his strength has improved.”
“Right, if we go by past strength, Wang Feng probably isn’t Ling Xiao’s match.”
“What about Jian Xing, the second-ranked?”
“Oh, he’s also a skilled swordsman, said to wield an immortal-grade treasure sword, incredibly sharp, and his own strength isn’t inferior to Jin Ming’s, he once killed a Mortal Realm First Layer martial artist while on a mission.”
“Goodness, it seems the top three are all monsters, Ling Xiao might not be their match.”
With the death challenge concluded, Ling Xiao’s ranking became the focal point of discussion among the outer sect disciples.
“Ling Xiao! I have no grudge against you, so I’m unwilling to fight you to the death! But your strength truly excites me, come challenge me!”
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out from the crowd, drawing everyone’s attention.
“It’s Jian Xing!”
“The second-ranked Jian Xing in the outer sect!”
“Both are swordsmen, who’s stronger?”
“Probably Jian Xing, after all, he has an immortal-grade sword!”
“I think it’s Ling Xiao, weapons are only part of strength, Ling Xiao’s combat ability surpasses Jian Xing’s.”
“Shut up, the stronger one will be clear after they fight, so much nonsense.”
As Jian Xing drew his sword, the outer sect disciples immediately fell silent.
“Why waste time? Since everyone’s here today, let’s settle it with one sword.”
No sooner hadNeu Ling Xiao spoken than he vanished from the Death Tower.
When he reappeared, his finger was already pressed against Jian Xing’s forehead.
“If this were a sword, you’d already be dead!”
Jian Xing was drenched in sweat.
His already pale skin turned deathly white.
“I’ve lost! I admit you’re stronger than me.”
To make an opponent concede, one must show strength, words are useless.
Jian Xing was not inferior to Jin Ming.
But he lacked Jin Ming’s defence, making him an easier opponent for Ling Xiao, who could kill him with a single sword.
Through his battle with Jin Ming, Ling Xiao not only gained many insights, refining his martial techniques, but also broke through to thirty percent of a Half-Step Master’s cultivation.
This sword was even stronger than the “Flying Snow” he used against Jin Ming.
Though it was merely his finger.
“Defeated in one move! This Ling Xiao is too terrifying.”
“I’m afraid even the top-ranked Wang Feng isn’t his match!”
Rumble!
Just as the crowd was shocked by Ling Xiao defeating Jian Xing with a finger in place of a sword, a bolt of thunder struck from the outer sect’s sky.
“Someone’s broken through!”
“That’s Wang Feng’s cave mansion!”
“That Wang Feng has broken through to the Mortal Realm!”
“So, that means Ling Xiao is now the undisputed number one in the outer sect, right?”
“Such a pity, I was hoping to see who the true number one in the outer sect was, but now there’s no chance.”
Mortal Realm!
Ling Xiao took a deep breath.
He had only been in the sect for a little over a month, and someone had already broken through to the Mortal Realm, though Wang Feng was already the top-ranked in the outer sect.
Still, this breakthrough made Ling Xiao feel both excited and urgent.
