Of course, defeating someone with more luck when you have less is no easy feat.
After Long Chen, the matches continued, with Bai Qianjiao and Mo Wushang taking the stage next.
Both easily defeated their opponents, but as Ling Xiao had predicted, their luck, already at seven cauldrons, gained little from the victories, leaving their luck largely unchanged.
More martial artists followed, and while the battles were exciting, the audience was eager for them to end.
They craved the clashes between the top elites, which promised greater thrills.
Of course, some contestants caused a stir upon entering, standing out as exceptions.
Like Ling Xiao.
His opponent was, surprisingly, Feng Yaorao.
Without Ling Xiao, Feng Yaorao would have undoubtedly topped the True Demon Forbidden Land test.
This woman was not only powerful but also highly intelligent and adept at reading situations, making her a standout among female competitors.
Yet today, in front of Ling Xiao, she was like a toddler just learning to walk.
Thinking of the events from two nights ago, Feng Yaorao still felt lingering fear.
But her acting skills were impeccable. Though wary inside, she appeared calm on the surface.
No matter how composed, facing Ling Xiao, cold sweat still beaded on her forehead.
Before entering the True Demon Forbidden Land, she had dismissed Ling Xiao as an ant she could crush at will.
She even threatened to kill him.
Now, standing before him, she could barely muster the courage to fight.
Taking a deep breath, she gave a wry smile. “Can you let me lose gracefully?”
She had no hope of winning against Ling Xiao, only wishing not to lose too disgracefully, lest it break the heart of a vain woman like her.
“You’re a clever woman. I can let you lose gracefully.”
Ling Xiao smiled faintly.
He had once nearly killed Feng Yaorao.
But unlike Jian Wuji, who was arrogant and underestimated others, leading to his demise, Feng Yaorao recognised Ling Xiao’s strength and never provoked him again, even defending him at times.
This woman was smart.
And smart women tended to live longer.
*Whoosh!*
Feng Yaorao didn’t draw a weapon.
She knew it would be pointless.
Her figure blurred into an afterimage, lunging at Ling Xiao, aiming for his vitals.
Though she knew she couldn’t win, she used nearly ninety percent of her strength, wanting to gauge the gap between them.
Her gale-like true essence tore through the air, as if to rip Ling Xiao apart.
Ling Xiao didn’t draw his sword or even form a qi sword.
He simply stepped forward lightly, appearing behind Feng Yaorao in an instant.
A faint bloodstain marked his fingertip.
A shallow scratch marred Feng Yaorao’s neck, barely noticeable.
But she knew that if Ling Xiao had wanted to kill her, that single move would have sufficed.
“How did he become so strong?”
Feng Yaorao looked bitterly as the two cauldrons of luck behind her flowed toward Ling Xiao, merging into his three cauldrons.
Finally, a faint fourth cauldron appeared behind Ling Xiao, not fully formed but taking shape.
“Thank you!”
As Feng Yaorao passed by, she said wryly, “You’re truly an enigma.”
Ling Xiao said nothing, only smiling faintly.
Perhaps among those present, only he knew the depths of his own strength.
As his luck gathered, he sensed his Early One-Line Heaven cultivation showing signs of breaking through. A bit more luck, and he might reach Mid One-Line Heaven.
This luck was truly miraculous.
Breaking through in the Heaven-Human realm was far harder than in the Mortal realm, yet without even cultivating, Ling Xiao was on the verge of a breakthrough solely through accumulating luck. It was astonishing.
Stepping off the stage, Ling Xiao savoured the wonders of luck while watching the platform.
Next up was Holy Son Ji Mingkong.
Her opponent was the formidable Bai Sanshao.
Though Bai Sanshao had only one cauldron of luck, it was solid, with a faint second cauldron forming.
This proud youth didn’t concede.
He believed he could challenge the Holy Son.
The result was tragic.
He lost, without any suspense.
He didn’t even know how he lost.
The Holy Son struck a single palm, not even touching him, and he was defeated.
Gaining part of Bai Sanshao’s luck, a ninth cauldron’s shadow appeared behind Ji Mingkong.
She was formidable, the only Tianjiao with eight cauldrons of luck, and now the ninth was taking shape.
At this rate, if she didn’t lose, achieving nine cauldrons was entirely possible.
As she left the stage, Ji Mingkong glanced at Ling Xiao and sent a voice transmission: “Ling Xiao, I hope you don’t lose before facing me. Your luck will be mine to claim!”
Ling Xiao smiled faintly, saying nothing.
A clash with Ji Mingkong was inevitable; it was just a matter of time.
Before meeting her, he felt his chances of losing were slim.
“My turn, Junior Brother Ling. Wish me luck!”
As Ji Mingkong stepped down, Lan Yu’er stood up.
“Sister Lan, your opponent is that Long Xiaoxiao. She’s tough, but don’t worry. If you perform steadily, your strength surpasses hers!”
Ling Xiao said with a smile.
“Then I’ll take your word for it!”
Lan Yu’er trusted Ling Xiao completely. If he said she could win, she believed she would.
Long Xiaoxiao wasn’t a Tianjiao in the last Martial Arts Festival, but her progress in recent years was remarkable. Like Bai Sanshao, she defeated several veteran experts to secure a spot in the top twenty.
Both had one cauldron of luck. The winner would begin forming a second.
The battle lasted fifty rounds, with the two appearing evenly matched.
But after a hundred moves, Lan Yu’er’s advantage became clear.
The miraculous effect of her technique granted her greater endurance.
Her body seemed cloaked in moonlight, dreamy and ethereal.
But one shouldn’t mistake this moonlight for mere decoration.
That would be a grave error.
This moonlight was a perfect fusion of Tianyuan energy and external forces, offering formidable defence and chilling cold.
When it struck an opponent, it could freeze their true essence or Tianyuan energy.
Clearly, as time passed, Long Xiaoxiao began to falter.
