The crowd fell silent. Many weren’t lacking in strength, but their cultivation was higher than Lin Xiao’s, so they couldn’t make a move. Those of the same rank, however, lacked the strength to dare step forward.
“If no one’s making a move, I’ll be off.” Lin Xiao stowed the black iron tube, lightly clapping his hands, leaving Jia Chao and the others utterly humiliated.
Were they really going to let him walk away just like that?
Wouldn’t that drag Jia Chao’s reputation to rock bottom?
Jia Chao’s heart burned with fury.
Then, Lin Xiao’s gaze shifted to Yu Xiang, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.
“Hmph!” Yu Xiang’s body trembled with anger, gritting her teeth and snorting coldly, shouting, “Who’ll stand up for me, Yu Xiang, and take him down?”
At her words, the crowd stirred. Only now did they notice Yu Xiang at the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion. Their pulses raced, fists clenched, an urge to leap into action surging within them.
Those with slightly higher cultivation sighed in regret, wishing their cultivation was a few ranks lower at that moment.
Boom!
But at that very moment, Lin Xiao moved first. His figure darted forward, charging into the front of the onlookers. With a single punch, a Heavenly Martial eighth-rank youth spewed a mouthful of blood, his entire body sent flying far back.
The youth didn’t even have time to process how he’d been blasted away. In the moment he was struck, he was still fantasising about aiding Yu Xiang.
But in that instant, everyone snapped awake.
Especially the Heavenly Martial eighth-rank youths, taking on the stunning Yu Xiang would be a delight, but they needed the strength to back it up.
Otherwise, not only would they gain nothing, they’d only end up getting thrashed…
At this point, no one moved again. After a long pause, still no one stepped forward, leaving Yu Xiang’s expression frozen in place.
“Your influence doesn’t seem all that great, does it?” Lin Xiao said, his voice dripping with mockery.
Yu Xiang’s eyes narrowed, her face a mix of embarrassment and humiliation.
“Everyone, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be off!” Lin Xiao ignored Yu Xiang and Jia Chao, striding out through the crowd.
This drove the group nearly mad with rage, their faces utterly disgraced.
“I see it now, he’s the top contender in the Slaughter Trial, the one with a million slaughter points!”
“So it’s him. The Holy City’s been buzzing about him. Seems he’s no ordinary figure, unmatched among his peers!”
After Lin Xiao left, the crowd grew lively with discussion.
“Hmph, you just wait. Three months from now, at the grand competition, I’ll make him regret this!” Yu Xiang fumed, her face burning from Lin Xiao’s slap to her pride, her heart now brimming with deep resentment.
At the grand competition three months later, cultivation restrictions wouldn’t apply. All she’d need to do was whisper a few words to Lin Xiao’s opponent, and she’d ensure he paid a heavy price.
“Hmph, I hope you break through soon. Just one rank higher, and I’ll make you pay!” Jia Chao clenched his fists tightly. If Lin Xiao broke through one rank, they wouldn’t need to wait for the grand competition. The Heavenly Martial ninth-rank fighters they knew would be far stronger, and they’d find a peer to deal with Lin Xiao.
Of course, if Lin Xiao broke through to Martial King, even better. There’d be plenty of powerhouses capable of handling him then.
However, breaking through from Heavenly Martial eighth rank to Martial King in the short term was nearly impossible. Jia Chao only hoped Lin Xiao would advance one rank.
Yet Lin Xiao didn’t take either of them seriously, heading straight for the Quiet Cultivation Zone.
The Quiet Cultivation Zone, located in the northeastern part of the Holy City, was akin to the city’s back mountain.
Before entering the Quiet Cultivation Zone, an elder stood guard, accompanied by several disciples. Only after Lin Xiao presented his access token was he allowed to enter, with one disciple guiding him directly to the Thunder Array Zone.
The fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone was situated in a valley spanning several hundred metres. Thunderous energy roiled within, faint flashes of lightning obscuring the scene inside.
“Heavenly Martial cultivators have entered the fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone before, but it’s rare. They don’t last long. Even the most prodigious talents at the Heavenly Martial rank haven’t endured three days. Most can’t even manage an hour, and some have even died in the Thunder Array Zone.”
A hundred metres from the Thunder Array Zone, the guiding disciple explained, “So, spending three thousand contribution points to enter the fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone once isn’t worth it. Newcomers might try, but veteran disciples? Hardly anyone comes.”
He’d seen Heavenly Martial disciples like Lin Xiao before. New to the Holy Origin Academy, full of defiance, always thinking they could handle anything. But after entering the fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone, they’d come stumbling out, scorched and dishevelled, gaining nothing.
New disciples had their pride, and the guiding disciple understood that. He didn’t look down on Lin Xiao, having gone through the same phase himself.
“Thank you for the heads-up, Senior Brother,” Lin Xiao nodded lightly, “But since someone’s managed three days, there’s still a chance. No matter what, it’s worth a try.”
“Heh, in the past decade or so, you know who managed three days in the Heavenly Martial rank? That was Sword Sovereign Mo Jiutian, at the peak of his talent. With his cultivation and gifts, he lasted three days. How long do you think you can manage?” Though the guiding disciple didn’t scorn Lin Xiao, he wasn’t optimistic.
The fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone was meant for early-stage Martial Kings to train in. For a Heavenly Martial cultivator to enter, let alone three days, even half a day hadn’t been achieved in a long time.
To be precise, it had been ages since a Heavenly Martial cultivator had even attempted it.
Entering at the Heavenly Martial rank was asking for trouble and wasting contribution points.
“Mo Jiutian!” At the mention of that name, Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed, a chill rising in his heart.
This wasn’t the first time he’d heard that name. Back in the Mo Alliance, in the outer academy, and now in the inner academy, people spoke of him, either with admiration or trepidation.
Mo Jiutian was indeed a renowned and formidable figure.
Seeing Lin Xiao’s change in expression, the guiding disciple thought he’d been intimidated. A smile crept onto his face as he comforted, “Don’t lose heart. Stay as long as you can. Even a short time might yield some benefits. At the very least, you’ll learn a lesson and feel the power of the fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone.”
Lin Xiao just chuckled, not responding.
“You’re also a bit lucky. Some veteran disciples are here these few days, so you can observe for a bit before trying,” the guiding disciple added with a smile.
“Thanks, Senior Brother!” Lin Xiao nodded. After the disciple left, he walked forward alone.
As he neared the fourth-rank Thunder Array Zone, seven figures came into his view.
The two at the front had reached the second rank of Martial King, standing at the entrance of the thunder array.
The five behind them kept some distance from the front two. Their cultivation had all reached the first rank of Martial King.
At that moment, the five’s murmured discussions reached Lin Xiao’s ears.
