Advancing to the Mortal Realm has two distinct hallmarks.
First, the Heavenly Veins fully form, and True Essence Force completely transforms into Heavenly Essence Force.
Second, the ability to use Heavenly Essence Battle Armour.
Each martial artist’s Heavenly Essence Battle Armour is unique, shaped by their specific Heavenly Essence Force.
Ling Xiao’s armour wasn’t just the black-gold Hell Dragon Flame Armour. It could manifest as any phenomenon—wind, thunder, rain, lightning, or mist.
“What!”
Once again, the crowd was stunned.
“He’s a Mortal Realm martial artist too! No wonder he’s so calm, never showing fear against other opponents,” someone exclaimed.
Gazing at Ling Xiao’s blazing Heavenly Essence Battle Armour, anyone who still doubted his strength didn’t deserve to be called a martial artist.
“Hahaha, what a massive surprise!” At the Moonlight Sect’s section, Golden Light Venerable burst into laughter after a moment of shock.
He never dreamed Ling Xiao had reached the Mortal Realm in such a short time. Though his armour was still rudimentary, its formation confirmed he was a Mortal Realm martial artist, no question.
“Damn it!” Qin Bixue cursed. “This kid looked down on me so much, never using his Mortal Realm cultivation against me.”
“I’m convinced,” Bai Qianjiao said with a bitter smile. She thought reaching the Mortal Realm would make her Ling Xiao’s equal, but he’d advanced earlier and was stronger.
“Mid-First Heaven realm, not as high as the Holy Son, but impressive,” someone noted.
“But why does his aura feel equal to the Holy Son’s? What martial soul does he have?”
No wonder they asked. Despite his lower cultivation, Ling Xiao’s presence matched Ji Mingkong’s, undoubtedly due to his martial soul.
“This kid’s no ordinary talent,” several sect leaders from the Twelve Sects exchanged glances, smiling wryly.
They could understand the Holy Son’s excellence, backed by the Heavenly King Sect and the Holy Dynasty, practically the entire Heavenly Dragon Continent serving her.
But what about Ling Xiao? With only the Moonlight Sect behind him, how much support could he have? Yet he’d reached the Mortal Realm and hidden it so well. His resolve was terrifying.
*Crack!* The Holy Emperor crushed his chair’s armrest.
He’d been confident his daughter would defeat Ling Xiao, but now, with both in the Mortal Realm, the gap wasn’t so vast, and the outcome was uncertain.
Sikong Zun’s face darkened too. Had he known Ling Xiao’s potential, he wouldn’t have offended him over the Sword King Sect. Taking him as a disciple and offering benefits would’ve been smarter.
But it was too late. The Heavenly King Sect and Ling Xiao were now irreconcilable.
As an individual, Sikong Zun didn’t fear Ling Xiao. But the boy’s hidden potential was a threat. If not killed, he’d become a grave danger to the Heavenly King Sect.
Without the support of the Heavenly King Sect or Holy Dynasty, Ling Xiao had grown this fast. If he became the Chosen One, backed by the entire Heavenly Dragon Continent, who could stop him?
Opposing such a person was asking for trouble.
Before, Sikong Zun saw Ling Xiao as just another genius, no match for Ji Mingkong, so he didn’t care much. But now, he realised Ling Xiao’s potential might surpass hers, even rivalling Ji Fuling and Yu Xuanyue from years past.
Given a few more years, how terrifying could he become?
One Moon Lady was already a headache, though she largely stayed out of worldly affairs, so the Moonlight Sect hadn’t been too affected.
But Ling Xiao was different. He wasn’t the type to withdraw from the world. If he reached the Moon Lady’s level, the Moonlight Sect could rival or even surpass the Heavenly King Sect.
Thinking of these consequences, Sikong Zun felt regret and worry.
If Ling Xiao couldn’t be used, he had to be killed.
This time, Sikong Zun resolved to act himself. Ling Xiao must not live.
“Sikong, you’re overthinking. Even with his potential, he’s no match for Mingkong right now,” the Holy Emperor said, recovering from his shock and noting Sikong Zun’s shifting expressions. “Mingkong has access to our Holy Dynasty and your sect’s advanced techniques. How can Ling Xiao compare?”
“Perhaps. Let’s watch,” Sikong Zun replied.
If Ji Mingkong could defeat or kill Ling Xiao, he wouldn’t need to act, avoiding potential complications.
But deep down, he felt intense unease.
On the arena, Ji Mingkong showed a moment of shock and disbelief, quickly masked by calm.
She’d never taken Ling Xiao seriously. Their bet was made in a fit of anger, never expecting he could challenge her.
Yet in such a short time, he’d reached the Mortal Realm. Though his cultivation was lower, his progress was faster, despite her access to Master Physician Sun Shang and powerful elixirs.
Unforgivable!
Hatred and killing intent flared in Ji Mingkong’s eyes.
If Ling Xiao didn’t die, what face would she, the Holy Son, have left?
She felt a strong sense of crisis. Even if he wasn’t her match now, he’d become a massive threat later.
She couldn’t hold back at all.
Taking a deep breath, the cold air matched the chill in her heart.
Her slender sword glowed green, infused with the Natural Dragon Soul’s power.
Ji Mingkong had no more words. She only wanted to kill Ling Xiao, silencing those who thought he could challenge her.
With a hum, a suit of emerald-green armour appeared around her, adorned with countless life-giving divine runes, exuding vitality.
This was Ji Mingkong’s Heavenly Essence Battle Armour.
