“Genius lies in quality, not quantity. I agree with the Seventh Elder.”
“Exactly. A true genius must have a fearless, resolute martial heart. If fear holds them back, their future achievements will be limited.”
Several representatives from allied factions chimed in, clearly siding with the Xiahou family and endorsing the Seventh Elder’s stance.
“Hmph, how old is Xiahou Jing? How old is Lin Xiao? What’s Xiahou Jing’s cultivation level, and what’s Lin Xiao’s? Do you think a fight between them is fair?” Baili He snorted coldly, glaring at the sycophants, who promptly shut their mouths.
Baili He was someone they couldn’t afford to offend.
But he spoke the truth. Xiahou Jing, nearing twenty, was three years older than Lin Xiao. Given three more years of cultivation, it was uncertain who would be stronger.
Moreover, Xiahou Jing’s cultivation was three levels higher than Lin Xiao’s.
If they were at the same level, Lin Xiao’s combat prowess would likely be even more astonishing.
“Arguing is pointless. Whether to fight or not is for the juniors to decide,” the Seventh Elder said calmly.
Even Elder Wei Sheng, nearby, found her shameless. Who had been stoking the debate moments ago? Now, exposed, she coolly left it to the juniors.
Her earlier provocative words had clearly reached every disciple’s ears.
A hot-headed disciple might have already rushed to the life-and-death stage.
Baili He’s gaze turned to Lin Xiao, about to speak, but Xiahou Jing preempted him, addressing Lin Xiao. “Your strength is formidable. Even I must go all out to defeat you. Truthfully, I can’t fully control my strongest power.”
“So?” Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed coldly.
“So, I can’t guarantee you’ll survive. If we fight, it’s a life-and-death battle. If you don’t fight, you concede,” Xiahou Jing said icily.
Her words were clear: either concede or fight to the death—no ordinary battle.
“Heh,” Lin Xiao gave a mocking laugh. With her aggressive stance, retreating would betray his principles.
“Vice Dean!” Lin Xiao turned to the Vice Dean, asking, “If I enter the life-and-death stage, am I permitted to kill my opponent?”
The crowd was stunned. Was Lin Xiao accepting the challenge?
His words were clear. The life-and-death stage meant life or death. He was asking if the Vice Dean would uphold this rule, given Xiahou Jing’s backing—the Seventh Elder and the entire Xiahou family.
“Does he still have trump cards?” Seeing Lin Xiao’s confidence, the Vice Dean paused, pondered briefly, then nodded solemnly. “Of course. On the life-and-death stage, killing an opponent is justified. Anyone who interferes or seeks retribution afterward will face severe punishment!”
The Vice Dean’s tone carried unquestionable authority, causing even the Seventh Elder to frown slightly.
As a true peak powerhouse, even she dared not cross him.
“Very well, I choose a life-and-death battle—until one of us falls!” Lin Xiao’s calm yet bold voice rang out.
The crowd was shocked. Lin Xiao had accepted?
Tianmen disciples grew anxious, even Ma Bi and others showing grave concern. With the Xiahou family so confident, did Lin Xiao have another trump card?
“Hmph, daring to fight my sister is simply courting death!” Xiahou Wanyu sneered, itching to crush Lin Xiao himself.
But looking at his sister Xiahou Jing, his eyes brimmed with confidence in her.
“A pity I can’t kill him myself. But I can’t wait any longer. This kid’s resilient—Jing’er will have to work for it, but he’s finally going to die,” Mo Jiutian said coldly, his gaze chilling.
“He’s got some skill, but against my sister, he’s nowhere near enough!” Xiahou Wanyu scoffed, his brash, hot-tempered nature evident.
On the life-and-death stage, both combatants took their places.
Facing Lin Xiao’s composed expression, Xiahou Jing flashed a cold smile. “Truly ignorant. I wouldn’t dare step onto the life-and-death stage without absolute means to kill you. I didn’t expect you’d actually come up.”
“Heh, are you the only one with trump cards?” Lin Xiao retorted with a cold laugh. “Many have tried to kill me, but in the end, I killed them all.”
“If you want to kill me, be prepared to be killed!”
With that, a ferocious aura erupted from Lin Xiao. A power-enhancing barrier enveloped his arms, faint wild fluctuations radiating from him.
Sensing this, those nearby felt a surge of restlessness.
“Wild Martial Intent!”
The crowd gasped. Martial intent amplified attack power, a derivative of advanced martial will.
Not everyone could comprehend martial will—it was unrelated to cultivation level. Only those with unwavering resolve and exceptional talent could grasp it.
Thus, those who mastered martial intent had superior comprehension, learning techniques and skills faster than others.
Martial intent symbolized extraordinary insight.
Lin Xiao, already a prodigy in many ways, had also comprehended martial intent. His exceptional insight explained his mastery of the Thunder Sword Technique’s third form.
Now, Lin Xiao no longer hid his talents. To kill Xiahou Jing, with her formidable background, he needed to display enough brilliance to catch the Vice Dean’s attention.
“Swish!”
On the other side, Xiahou Jing drew two gleaming swords. Dual-wielding, she exuded an unrivalled sword aura, sharp winds howling around her with a “swish” sound. Her powerful sword momentum seemed to tear the air apart.
At its peak, a sword intent enveloped her, peerless and defensively unmatched, as if one slash could cleave all foes and deflect any attack.
“Sword intent is one of the hardest martial intents to comprehend. Xiahou Jing’s mastery of it proves her astonishing talent.”
“Indeed. Compared to Lin Xiao’s wild martial intent, which is just a reckless opportunist’s trick.”
Beside the Seventh Elder, representatives from allied factions praised Xiahou Jing while belittling Lin Xiao’s martial intent.
“If wild martial intent is so easy to grasp, why haven’t you, past your prime, comprehended it?” Unable to stomach their sycophantic praise of Xiahou Jing and disparagement of Lin Xiao, Baili He snapped back.
The group promptly shut their mouths.
