“Scoundrel!”
Zhao Zhi, seeing his sister struck, raged to act.
“Stop. Give this to your sister. She’ll recover soon.”
Ling Xiao blocked Zhao Zhi, handing a healing pill.
These pills were refined from Shenhuang Academy’s seized herbs. Free, usable anytime, even on the spot.
Yet far better than any market healing pill.
Zhao Zhi took it, hurried to help Zhao Ci up, and fed it to her.
Ling Xiao gazed coolly at Wan Qiufeng.
From strike to finish, the man was swift. Stronger than Blood Skull, even slightly above Ximen Buxie.
Not killing Zhao Ci with one palm showed her diligent training.
Since her personality shift, Zhao Ci followed Ling Xiao’s standards. Training until vomiting blood, unwilling to stop.
Such effort paid off. Her instant reaction was solid.
This relieved Ling Xiao. On the battlefield, even ambushed, Zhao Ci should survive.
Ling Xiao eyed Wan Qiufeng. Wan Qiufeng eyed back.
He sneered. “Ling Xiao, think I’m that waste Blood Skull? I touched your woman, injured her. What can you do?”
Nearby people turned.
Wan Qiufeng was domineering. Attacked without word.
Ling Xiao hit a wall this time.
He beat Blood Skull, but not Wan Qiufeng. Ranked eleventh at Shenhuang.
Far above Blood Skull’s twentieth.
“What can I do?”
Ling Xiao smiled coldly, slowly drawing Golden Crow Sword. Golden light flashed, sword intent surged, like a golden crow ready to soar.
Icy sword intent rose, growing sharper, stronger.
“No way. Ling Xiao wants to fight?”
Onlookers watched, surprised.
They thought Ling Xiao inferior, should swallow the loss after big talk. Now retaliating? Seeking death?
“Brother Ling, give face. Brother Wan just injured a woman. Women are clothes, brothers are limbs. No need to care so?”
Then, from Shenhuang, another spoke.
Jia Yun!
The Righteous Alliance young master.
Unexpectedly a Shenhuang disciple.
“Your women are clothes. Mine are not! Why give you face? Who are you?”
Ling Xiao saw Zhao Ci not as his woman, but even as friend, beyond clothes.
He disliked Jia Yun’s words.
Others knew nothing of Lingyue Courtyard events. Unaware Ling Xiao crippled Kong You and Yan Peng.
Or threw Jia Yun in the pond.
So surprised Ling Xiao dared speak thus to Righteous Alliance’s Jia Yun. Not fearing offence?
“Good! Very good! Dog bites Lu Dongbin, ungrateful!”
Jia Yun suppressed anger. Near breakthrough to Ninth Heaven. Then he would teach Ling Xiao fear.
Ling Xiao ignored, eyed Wan Qiufeng again. Golden Crow Sword trembled lightly.
“You injure my woman. I sever your arm!”
Sword light flashed. Killing intent autumnal.
No flashy scene, no terrifying power.
But speed, that instant splendour, unbelievably fast.
Easily severed Wan Qiufeng’s entire right arm.
A flick. Sword bloodless.
Ling Xiao sheathed calmly, ignoring Wan Qiufeng.
“Terrifying strength! Really Qingxu’s Ling Xiao?”
“Tsk. Lucky I didn’t provoke. Wan Qiufeng the idiot set example.”
“Ah! My arm!”
Perhaps Ling Xiao’s sword too swift.
Wan Qiufeng felt no pain at severance.
Moments later, agony hit. He screamed hoarsely.
Regret flooded him.
Why provoke Ling Xiao.
If the sword hit his head, not arm, he’d be dead.
Fear made him crawl away, fleeing far.
Then, on the general’s platform, a figure appeared.
Seeing him, Wan Qiufeng boldened. From twenty metres, he yelled. “Ling Xiao, remember. I’ll kill you!”
“Nonsense!”
Ling Xiao pointed two fingers.
Two shadow awls flew. Miniature, yet left gruesome chest holes in Wan Qiufeng.
All stunned.
The platform held this expedition’s commander to Beimo. Ling Xiao dared attack before him. Mad.
But strength undeniable. Shenhuang eleventh, no reaction.
Arm severed once.
Chest pierced twice.
Clearly mercy. Else Wan Qiufeng dead.
“Best shut your mouth. Stay quiet. Next time, to hell!”
Disdainful glance at the idiot, Ling Xiao turned to Zhao Ci.
“Resent me not acting sooner?”
He asked.
“How could I? Brother Ling avenged me.”
Zhao Ci shook head hastily. Since change, she was his fangirl. All he did, right in her eyes.
“Zhao Ci, remember. I could have blocked before he hit, but didn’t. On battlefield, I may truly lack chance or time to save you. You’ll face hardships, even death. Still going?”
Ling Xiao looked seriously at her, then others. “You too. Consider well. Final decision.”
“I’ll go of course!”
Zhao Ci said firmly.
