The exclamations of Lin Xiao’s name from several notable figures caused the hundreds gathered in front to freeze in surprise. Who was this youth that such prominent individuals—Yuan Fen, a strong member of the Yuan family; Ma Yin, ranked eighty-eighth on the Human Demon List; and Gu Xuanyuan, a renowned Holy Origin Academy genius rivalling the thirtieth-ranked Human Demon List disciple—all recognized him?
Could this youth be some extraordinary figure?
Those who had mocked Lin Xiao moments ago sucked in a breath, their hearts pounding. Though his talent seemed decent, his strength didn’t appear exceptional. Did he have a powerful background?
The grey-robed youth, the burly youth, and others who arrived with Lin Xiao were equally stunned. Lin Xiao appeared unremarkable, yet he was connected to these powerhouses?
“You’re Lin Xiao, the one who killed a Yuan family elder?” Yuan Ren, the burly figure, spoke, his tone laced with cold hostility.
The crowd gasped again. This youth had killed a Yuan family elder, making him Yuan Ren’s enemy?
This was beyond their expectations. Yuan Ren was one of the three strongest here. Offending him left little chance of survival—unless Gu Xuanyuan or Wang Ming intervened.
The grey-robed and burly youths were shocked. They’d warned Lin Xiao not to provoke the three major forces, yet he had a feud with Yuan Ren…
Lin Xiao ignored Yuan Ren, turning to Gu Xuanyuan instead, speaking calmly, “Senior Brother Gu, we meet again.”
“Junior Brother Lin Xiao, you’re doing well. Third-level Martial King—two levels in such a short time. Your speed is impressive!” Gu Xuanyuan said, genuinely amazed. Without the spirit stone, his progress wouldn’t have matched Lin Xiao’s.
“Not as fast as you, Senior Brother. Sixth-level Martial King, rivalling the thirtieth-ranked Human Demon List,” Lin Xiao replied evenly.
The crowd was stunned again. This youth was a Holy Origin Academy disciple, and he seemed on good terms with Gu Xuanyuan?
“Heh,” Gu Xuanyuan chuckled noncommittally, his eyes blazing with battle intent. “I wonder if you can still fight me now.”
The crowd froze once more. Their relationship wasn’t friendly—Lin Xiao was a past rival?
This spelled trouble for Lin Xiao. Gu Xuanyuan, now sixth-level, far outstripped him. They saw no way Lin Xiao could challenge him now.
“If you’re interested, Senior Brother, we can try,” Lin Xiao responded calmly, undaunted despite the three-level gap.
“You haven’t answered my question,” Yuan Ren interjected, irritated. He’d thought Lin Xiao and Gu Xuanyuan were close, but their tension eased his concerns. Lin Xiao’s deliberate disregard further angered him.
“Sorry, I’m not interested in answering you,” Lin Xiao said, visibly impatient.
“You—fine!” Yuan Ren’s anger flared, Lin Xiao’s audacity stoking his fury.
The crowd was astonished. Lin Xiao dared ignore Yuan Ren? His boldness was staggering.
“Yuan Fen, go chop this kid down!” Yuan Ren barked at Yuan Fen in the crowd.
Yuan Fen, recently arrived, had avoided mentioning Lin Xiao out of shame. Now, with Lin Xiao here, he was mortified.
Ordered to attack, Yuan Fen’s heart quaked. When Lin Xiao was second-level, he couldn’t win. Now, at third-level, how could he stand a chance?
Chop Lin Xiao? He wouldn’t dare!
“This kid’s in trouble. Even if Yuan Ren’s under the repelling force, Yuan Fen, the Yuan family’s second genius, is fourth-level. Lin Xiao’s no match,” someone whispered.
Yet Lin Xiao showed no fear, smirking at Yuan Fen. “You’re going to chop me?”
“I…” Yuan Fen trembled, unable to respond.
“What’s the hold-up? Chop him already!” Yuan Ren roared.
“It’s not… Big Brother Yuan Ren, I fought him before. I’m not his match,” Yuan Fen stammered, forced to admit the truth.
“What!” Yuan Ren flushed with humiliated rage. Yuan Fen, a fourth-level Martial King, couldn’t beat a third-level Lin Xiao?
The crowd was shocked. Yuan Fen, a top-tier fourth-level, lost to a third-level Lin Xiao?
No wonder he was so arrogant—he had real strength!
The grey-robed and burly youths grew more convinced of Lin Xiao’s extraordinariness. His power was astonishing.
“Useless!” Yuan Ren cursed, feeling the Yuan family’s reputation tarnished.
“Why not come yourself?” Lin Xiao turned to Yuan Ren, calm as ever.
“You!” Yuan Ren’s temper surged, but he restrained himself, staying within the repelling force’s range.
“What, scared?” Lin Xiao pressed, sensing Yuan Ren’s hesitation.
Lin Xiao suspected the trio faced significant resistance within ten metres of the statue, or Yuan Ren would’ve attacked already.
“Hmph, Lin Xiao, you think Big Brother Yuan Ren fears you? This test is a one-time chance. You’re not worth him leaving to kill you,” Liu He interjected, defending Yuan Ren’s awkward position.
“Oh?” Lin Xiao’s eyes gleamed, shifting to Liu He, a strange smirk curling his lips.
Seeing the killing intent in Lin Xiao’s gaze, Liu He trembled, fear flashing across his face. “Lin Xiao, w-what do you want?”
“Since that’s the case, I’ll kill you two first!” Lin Xiao’s tone turned icy. Though Liu He posed no threat, he was like a dog nipping at his heels—Lin Xiao had no intention of sparing him.
Liu He regretted his words, his heart pounding.
Yuan Fen’s brows furrowed, threatening, “Lin Xiao, push us too far, and Big Brother Yuan Ren will come kill you. Don’t go overboard!”
“In your clan brother’s eyes, are you two more important, or that spirit stone and scroll?” Lin Xiao’s face dripped with mockery as he slowly advanced on them.
Yuan Fen’s heart shuddered—Lin Xiao’s words struck at his deepest fear.
“Y-y-you…” Yuan Fen’s face paled with fear, but his eyes suddenly lit up, turning to the silent Ma Yin. “Brother Ma Yin, doesn’t the Nether Sky Demon Palace want Lin Xiao dead? Please act now, and we’ll reward you handsomely!”
The crowd froze again. Who was this Lin Xiao? Not only did he have a grudge with Gu Xuanyuan and the Yuan family, but he was also an enemy of the Nether Sky Demon Palace?
He’d offended all three top factions present?
