But Lin Xiao still had tricks up his sleeve. No matter how powerful Yang Xiu’s punch was, he was unafraid.
“Swish!” In an instant, Lin Xiao activated the Heaven-Sealing Stone Hand. Petrifying energy surged through his hand, instantly turning his arm into stone. With a mighty punch, he met Yang Xiu’s strike head-on.
“Crack!”
A violent sound rang out as Lin Xiao’s fist collided fiercely with Yang Xiu’s. No matter how strong Yang Xiu’s power was, it couldn’t harm Lin Xiao’s stone hand.
In that moment, the terrifying petrifying energy from Lin Xiao’s hand surged towards Yang Xiu’s arm.
Having refined a corner of the Grand Wall, Lin Xiao’s petrifying energy had reached the equivalent of his ninth-level Martial Venerable elemental force.
With his seventh-level Martial Venerable strength, without using spiritual energy or other means, he could already contend with a third-level Martial Lord.
The petrifying energy of the Heaven-Sealing Stone Hand, equivalent to ninth-level Martial Venerable strength, was unimaginably powerful.
The fearsome petrifying energy broke through Yang Xiu’s power, surging into his body.
Yang Xiu’s arm, then his entire body, began to petrify at a visible rate.
“How is this possible?” Yang Xiu’s eyes were filled with intense shock, his face brimming with disbelief.
This was supposed to be a killing blow against Lin Xiao, but he never imagined Lin Xiao had such a technique, not only countering his attack but delivering a fatal strike in return.
He, the greatest genius of the Ling Sword Sect with limitless potential, was about to fall here.
At that moment, his arm had already stiffened, his flesh, blood, and even his head completely petrified.
His life force was fading.
In that instant, everyone saw Yang Xiu’s entire body turn into a stone figure, crashing to the ground, his fate unknown.
The crowd was dumbfounded, the scene eerily silent.
What kind of power did Lin Xiao possess to petrify even Yang Xiu?
“This is petrifying power, the power of the ancient Stone People Clan!”
At that moment, a furious voice rang out, “Lin Xiao, what is your connection to the ancient Stone People Clan?”
The speaker was none other than the leader of the Ling Sword Sect, Sikong Jian!
Lin Xiao’s brows furrowed. Sikong Jian knew of the Stone People Clan?
“Petrifying power, the ancient Stone People Clan!” Sheng Qianyu’s voice turned furious, his expression dark as he said, “Lin Xiao, so you’re the one who refined the Grand Wall!”
At those words, everyone’s expressions changed drastically.
The one who refined the Grand Wall was Lin Xiao?
Though many were unaware of the ancient Stone People Clan, it was undeniable that Lin Xiao possessed the power to petrify others.
With petrifying power, refining stone materials was not hard to believe.
It was like how those with cold physiques could refine cold-attributed herbs, or those with flame powers could refine flame-attributed herbs.
The Martial Emperors, during their discussions, had heard Sheng Qianyu mention the ancient Stone People Clan, a race far older than the Stone-Devouring Rat.
Petrifying power was something rarely seen.
If Lin Xiao possessed such power, he might indeed have a significant connection to the Stone People Clan.
Either Lin Xiao was a member of the Stone People Clan, or he was highly likely a descendant or heir of the clan.
The Grand Wall, indestructible even by Martial Emperors, had been damaged and vanished without a trace. Only refining could explain it; otherwise, it was inexplicable.
Zi Huang, Ling Xiao, Shi Jindou, and others furrowed their brows.
Lin Xiao’s brows also deepened. He had indeed refined a piece of the Grand Wall.
Judging by Sikong Jian’s demeanour, even if he hadn’t refined the Grand Wall, he would likely use it as an excuse to target him.
“Emperor Sheng, Sect Leader Sikong, everyone!” Lin Xiao cupped his hands towards them and the Martial Emperors present, his tone neither servile nor overbearing, “Let’s not discuss what the ancient Stone People Clan is. Since you’ve called it an ancient race, you must know that such a distant race couldn’t possibly still exist today, could it?”
“To say an ancient race has appeared, I wouldn’t believe it, and I’m sure no one here would either.”
“Moreover, if it’s the Stone People Clan, I’m just a flesh-and-blood martial artist, not some stone being. Isn’t it a bit far-fetched to link me to the Stone People Clan?”
Lin Xiao’s tone carried strong skepticism.
At his words, the crowd began to come to their senses.
Lin Xiao’s reasoning made sense. Linking him to an ancient race did seem far-fetched.
“Hmph, then what about your petrifying power?” Sikong Jian’s expression remained unchanged as he snorted coldly.
“This power is merely a technique I chanced upon during an adventure and managed to cultivate.”
Lin Xiao replied, “I can indeed refine some stone-attributed materials, but with my Martial Venerable cultivation, how could I possibly refine such a vast Grand Wall that even Martial Emperors can’t destroy?”
“Sect Leader Sikong, surely the great Ling Sword Sect wouldn’t use this to slander me just because I killed Jian Wuqu and Yang Xiu?” Lin Xiao added.
The crowd’s expressions grew solemn.
For a junior to so directly question Sikong Jian, Lin Xiao’s courage was remarkable.
Sikong Jian was a peak figure in the southeast region. Even Sheng Qianyu and other Martial Emperors spoke to him with courtesy.
From the current scene, it did seem Sikong Jian had such intentions.
After all, with Lin Xiao’s strength, refining miles of the Grand Wall seemed too implausible, and they found it hard to believe.
But for Lin Xiao to say it so directly was a bold affront to Sikong Jian’s dignity.
“Are you questioning me?” Sikong Jian stood, a faint pressure emanating from him, enveloping Lin Xiao.
“How terrifying!” Lin Xiao’s heart jolted, sweat forming on his back.
Sikong Jian’s strength was simply too fearsome!
Just a wisp of pressure rendered him immobile. If Sikong Jian unleashed his full pressure, it could likely crush him into pulp on the spot.
Struggling against the pressure, Lin Xiao maintained his composure and replied, “As a mere junior, I naturally wouldn’t dare question the leader of the Ling Sword Sect.”
“But if Sect Leader Sikong pins baseless charges on me, I must raise doubts, even at the risk of offence.”
“The accusation of refining the Grand Wall is not one I’m willing to bear!”
“Moreover, I did kill Jian Wuqu and Yang Xiu on the spot, and I have a duel agreement with Sect Leader’s personal disciple, Jian Wudi, regarding the Sacred Spirit Vein. If Sect Leader Sikong insists on framing me without evidence, even if I don’t say it, everyone here will have doubts in their hearts.”
Lin Xiao continued, “With all the major factions present, I believe the southeast region’s youth summit is fair and won’t arbitrarily convict participating youths. The Sheng family will also give me justice.”
Sikong Jian’s face darkened. Lin Xiao’s words were a severe challenge to his authority.
Moreover, mentioning the Sacred Spirit Vein was a reminder to other sects.
Lin Xiao’s move was not only a challenge but a blatant counterattack against him.
Sikong Jian’s heart surged with intense killing intent.
The crowd was also shocked, marvelling at Lin Xiao’s boldness. Under Sikong Jian’s pressure, he dared to speak so openly and sarcastically.
“Without evidence, convicting a participating youth does violate the rules of the southeast region’s youth summit. After all, this concerns the opening of each Grand Era Observation, a rule set by all factions present. We can’t lift a stone only to drop it on our own feet.” At that moment, a Martial Emperor elder from the Spear Dragon Sect spoke, his tone meaningful. Though worded diplomatically, the implication was clear: he was accusing Sikong Jian of falsely charging Lin Xiao.
