Among the crowd, only Feng Qing Yan and Feng Yanran showed concern and worry for Ling Xiao.
The rest mostly harboured envy, jealousy, and hatred towards him.
If Ling Xiao embarrassed himself here and suffered complete defeat, they would delight in the spectacle.
Moreover, anyone Feng Ming Piaoxue disliked became their enemy too. Even without reason, they had to hate him!
What if Ling Xiao had defeated Blood Skull?
In Kong You’s presence, Blood Skull amounted to nothing.
Ling Xiao paid no heed to their gazes. He knew some wanted to see him make a fool of himself, but he refused to grant their wish.
“Kong You, is it? Since you are so eager to disgrace yourself, I suppose I must oblige!”
He rose slowly, smiled at Kong You, and spoke.
“The one disgraced will be you!”
Kong You said coldly.
“Is that so? Where do you wish to fight?”
Ling Xiao had no interest in chatter and asked directly.
“Since this is a contest for entertainment, we need a spacious area. This place is too cramped. How about battling on the lake surface? No boats. We fight treading the waves with movement arts. What say you?”
Kong You asked with a smile.
“No problem at all.”
Ling Xiao agreed without thought.
But as soon as he did, he noticed mockery and schadenfreude in the crowd.
Puzzled, he looked towards Feng Yanran.
She transmitted, “You were too rash. Remember, this is Lingyue Villa, Righteous Alliance territory. You offended Jia Yun. Would he not aid Kong You? Beware something in the water.”
“Heh, they had better not play tricks. Otherwise, I cannot say when I might lose control. Wonder Hand Heavenly Venerable Sun Shang is the perfect example.”
Ling Xiao suddenly revealed a cold smile.
If it were fair sparring, he would not harm his opponent. Victory sufficed.
But if they used underhanded tactics to trap him, he would show no mercy. Would he still be Ling Xiao without extreme measures?
“Brother Ling, after you!”
Kong You gestured invitingly.
Ling Xiao glanced coolly, then leapt onto the lake, standing atop the waves as if on solid ground.
“Excellent movement art!”
The crowd could not help but praise.
But they did not know this was merely Ling Xiao’s basic skill. He had not yet employed true movement arts. Otherwise, their eyes might pop out.
“Nothing impressive!”
Kong You sneered, leapt, and sprouted peacock plume wings from his back.
As a Peacock clansman, a birdman, wings were natural.
To flaunt his movement art, Kong You performed several aerial flourishes, making Feng Ming Piaoxue beam.
“This is true superior movement art. Ling Xiao only manages basic wave-treading, which even mortal realm warriors can do.”
The crowd soon began despising Ling Xiao’s art while praising Kong You’s endlessly.
“This is normal. Kong You is Peacock clan. That idiot Ling Xiao is just a lowly human who cannot even fly. Daring to fight Kong You on water. What a fool.”
Jia Yun sneered. “I bet Kong You wins in ten moves. Who dares wager with me?”
“Young Master Jia is too cunning. Everyone sees Kong You will crush him. You stand undefeatable. How can we bet?”
Yan Peng flattered with a laugh.
“I will bet with you!”
The face-slap came swift.
Before Yan Peng finished, Feng Yanran spoke.
“Oh? Miss Yanran wishes to wager with me? How shall we bet?”
“Naturally, I bet Ling Xiao wins, and in under three moves! If I lose, I will marry you!” Feng Yanran declared loudly.
“Ooh~~”
The crowd began jeering.
Everyone knew Jia Yun fancied Feng Yanran.
“Good! A deal! I bet Kong You wins. If I lose, I am at your disposal!”
Jia Yun said excitedly.
Though he preferred Feng Ming Piaoxue, she was for admiration only, not touch.
Feng Yanran, slightly less beautiful, matched her in temperament. Crucially, if he wished, he could truly have her.
“No need for disposal. If you lose, Young Master Jia, cease pestering me henceforth. Agreed?”
Feng Yanran looked at Jia Yun.
“You loathe me so? Hmph. Useless. You are doomed to lose today!”
He turned to the lake.
Ling Xiao and Kong You had yet to act.
Both stood, seemingly preparing.
Kong You hovered in air, looking coolly at Ling Xiao. “Ling Xiao, oh Ling Xiao. I originally held only minor grudge against you for killing my Peacock clan’s Ke Long and Ke Yu. Not enough for deep hatred.
But you never should have provoked Miss Piaoxue, nor angered her.
She is angry, so I am angry. How exactly should I deal with you?”
“So eager to please. Will she let you touch her?” Ling Xiao teased.
“Scoundrel! Dare profane Miss Piaoxue!” Kong You trembled with rage.
“Hmph. Men and their desires. No need to hide. So many fawn over Feng Ming Piaoxue, hoping one day to bed her. Why the hypocrisy?”
Ling Xiao snorted.
In the pavilion, Feng Ming Piaoxue fumed. Those around usually flattered her. This Ling Xiao differed, earning her deep hatred yet sparking competitive spirit.
She did not want him dead so soon.
“Ling Xiao, you are finished. See how you enraged Miss Piaoxue! I intended a quick end, letting you depart this world swiftly. Now that is impossible.”
Kong You revealed a ferocious grin. “I will first cripple your cultivation, then hand you to Miss Piaoxue. I believe even your Qingxu Academy will not dare protest!”
“Are we not sparring?”
Ling Xiao paused, curious. “Can sparring cripple cultivation?”
He truly saw this as mere sparring. Though Kong You’s words irked him, it was not worth killing.
But he never imagined these noble heirs would care for a human’s life?
In the imperial city, several humans died daily, tortured, beaten, or worked to death by owners.
Ling Xiao saw this, raged, but could do nothing. His strength and influence were insufficient.
He could save one or two, but not all humans worldwide.
Now, Kong You planned to cripple him merely for disrespectful words about Feng Ming Piaoxue, truly treating him as trample-worthy trash.
