After five hundred moves, Ling Yihang gradually faltered and was ultimately defeated by Shi Feiyu. However, this battle left Shi Feiyu heavily drained as well. Though he won, it could only be called a pyrrhic victory. Even in defeat, no one dared question Ling Yihang’s strength. Still, the Shi family managed to salvage some of their reputation.
“Shi Feiyu couldn’t beat Ling Yixue, but he did defeat Ling Yihang. Now, among the top four, two are from the Ling family, one from the Li family, and one from the Shi family. The Ling family still holds the edge.”
“I reckon Ling Xiao’s strength is about on par with Ling Yihang’s, both took down Wang Zui in one move. But beating Shi Feiyu might be tough. The final rankings could very well end up like this.”
“Not necessarily. Ling Chen hasn’t made a move yet, and his strength’s still unclear, maybe he’s just good at movement. Shi Yulian hasn’t challenged either. Plus, Ling Xiao’s Nine-Turn Golden Body Art isn’t inferior to Shi Feiyu’s Iron Cloth Divine Skill. There’s definitely more excitement to come.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Ling Xiao spoke up.
“Shi Feiyu, I’ll give you half an hour to rest and recover. Get ready, I’ll challenge you after.”
“No need. Come at me now!” Shi Feiyu roared, glaring.
“Beating you now wouldn’t be a fair win.”
Ling Xiao shook his head and sat cross-legged.
He’d originally planned to challenge Ling Chen directly, then take on Li Xinghui. But since Shi Feiyu had beaten Ling Yihang, as a good friend, he figured he should at least help Ling Yihang reclaim some pride. It wouldn’t take long anyway.
“Alright, Feiyu, do as Ling Xiao says. Rest for half an hour. Here’s a recovery pill, swallow it.”
The Tianfeng City Lord was a shrewd man. He wouldn’t dare underestimate Ling Xiao, so he stepped in to curb Shi Feiyu’s reckless bravado.
Shi Feiyu, hearing him, could only nod, take the pill, and start resting.
During that half hour, no one challenged Shi Feiyu. No one wanted to offend the City Lord. Besides, truthfully, few were qualified to challenge him. The Four Young Masters weren’t weak. Even Wang Zui, had he not run into Ling Yihang and Ling Xiao, might’ve secured a ranking.
Meanwhile, Ling Yihang challenged the sixth-ranked fighter and claimed the sixth arena’s title. After healing, Wang Zui easily defeated the eighth arena’s holder, showcasing his own strength. This made it clear to everyone: it wasn’t that Wang Zui was weak, Ling Xiao and Ling Yihang were just terrifying.
The current rankings were:
1. Li Xinghui
2. Ling Chen
3. Ling Yixue
4. Shi Feiyu
5. Shi Yulian
6. Ling Yihang
7. Ling Xiao
8. Wang Zui
…
Half an hour later, Ling Xiao stood up and looked at Shi Feiyu.
“Ling Xiao, if you’re really my friend, beat him in one move, heh heh!” Ling Yihang grinned at him.
He knew Ling Xiao’s strength and Shi Feiyu’s capabilities, so his words weren’t baseless. To others, though, it sounded like he wasn’t taking Shi Feiyu seriously at all.
“One move, huh? You sure know how to make things tough for me,” Ling Xiao said with a wry smile. “Fine, fine. I’ve been wanting to test a new move anyway. I’ll do you this favour.”
What?
He actually agreed!
Was Ling Xiao insane? Sure, he’d beaten Wang Zui in one move, but that was because Wang Zui’s defence was lacking. Shi Feiyu, though, who was he? The guy once hailed as the strongest defender among Tianfeng City’s younger generation. Wasn’t Ling Xiao underestimating him too much?
“You arrogant Ling Xiao! I’ll show you who’s the real master of defence!” Shi Feiyu snapped.
Even with a good temper, he couldn’t stomach this kind of provocation. He felt Ling Xiao was looking down on him. But honestly, Ling Xiao wasn’t belittling him, he was just stating facts.
Ling Chen’s expression flickered between dark and light. Today was supposed to be his moment to shine. Yet Ling Yihang, Ling Yixue, and now Ling Xiao had stolen the glory that should’ve been his. Especially this Ling Xiao, performing so dazzlingly. If he really beat Shi Feiyu, he might be seen as the top talent of the Ling family’s younger generation. That damned guy!
Ling Xiao, of course, had no idea what Ling Chen was thinking. He wasn’t here for fame. He’d joined the Tianfeng Festival purely to test his martial skills and strength. Challenging Shi Feiyu now was just about helping his friend Ling Yihang vent some frustration. Fame? He couldn’t care less. Being called one of the Four Young Masters, what did that matter? The world was vast. The so-called Four Young Masters of Tianfeng City were nothing outside its borders.
The fight began.
Though furious at Ling Xiao, Shi Feiyu didn’t dare take him lightly. Right from the start, he pushed his defensive martial art to its limit. His skin took on a dark, iron-like sheen, glinting metallically.
“My defence can’t be pierced by swords or blades. Let’s see how you break it!”
Shi Feiyu didn’t know what Ling Xiao was planning, but since he’d boasted about winning in one move, Shi Feiyu would make sure that didn’t happen. Then, Ling Xiao would be the one humiliated. After that, he’d deal with him slowly. Sadly, while the plan was grand, reality was harsh.
Shi Feiyu had it all figured out, but when he saw Ling Xiao draw the Ice Glass Sword from its scabbard, a wave of fear washed over him.
“No! Impossible! His realm’s equal to mine, he hasn’t even attacked yet, so why am I already terrified?”
Shocked, he quickly steadied himself. A strong-willed fighter, he faced Ling Xiao’s piercing, blade-like gaze without letting his guard drop.
“Fall, Phantom Shadow Sword Technique!”
Ling Xiao aimed the Ice Glass Sword at Shi Feiyu and suddenly thrust forward at blinding speed. Midway, he split into two. Two identical figures. Both wielding Ice Glass Swords, both with calm expressions.
“Gods, am I seeing things? Did Ling Xiao just turn into two people?”
“Phantom Shadow Sword Technique! It’s the Phantom Shadow Sword Technique! To think someone in this day and age could master it!”
Ling Xiaotian leapt to his feet, his face pale with shock.
Back when Ling Xiao picked his martial art from the library, he hadn’t asked for details and had no idea Ling Xiao had chosen this. Seeing him successfully execute the first layer of the Phantom Shadow Sword Technique today, he felt a pang of regret. This was a true pillar of strength, the successor the Ling family should be nurturing with all its might.
Ling Yin, however, had the opposite reaction.
“This kid’s talent is too terrifying. He must be eliminated soon, or my grandson Ling Feifan will never rise.”
He wasn’t alone in that thought. The Tianfeng City Lord, the Li family head, and the Wang family head all harboured killing intent. The four great families of Tianfeng City couldn’t let one dominate. Seeing Ling Xiao’s frightening potential, they resolved to nip it in the bud.
One became two. One real body, one clone. The clone held seventy percent of the real body’s strength. That seventy percent included a fifty percent boost from the fifth layer of the Phantom Shadow Sword Technique, a ten percent boost from the Bull Demon Technique: Transformation, and another ten percent from his Sword Intent.
He only used one clone, because against Shi Feiyu, one was enough.
