Feng Yinshan and Ling Xiao chatted all the way to Qingxu Academy before Feng Yinshan finally left in his sedan.
He could sense that Ling Xiao might become his strongest rival in the future.
But for now, cooperation with Ling Xiao was essential!
…
Outside the imperial city, in an ordinary-looking civilian house.
Few outside knew that beneath this house lay a massive hidden cage.
It held powerful war captives and beasts.
At this moment, in one cage stood a man.
Clad in black armour, with neat short hair, his face radiated overwhelming dominance and majesty.
Nearly two metres tall, his muscles bulged impressively.
Before him was a giant tiger, four metres high and seven or eight metres long.
Roar—!
The tiger pounced roaring at the robust man, its massive body whipping up a foul wind that rattled the sturdy iron cage.
Facing the attack, the man slowly raised his hand. A square-sky painted halberd appeared, then whipped up a fierce flame whirlwind, thrusting at the tiger.
Peerless Blazing Spear!
Spear shadows flashed. The tiger’s huge body could not advance an inch, instead flung back by terrifying force, crashing hard against the cage.
“Roar—!”
The tiger raged.
A mere human injured it. How could it endure such humiliation?
“Switch!”
The black-armoured man stowed his halberd and stepped aside.
Another entered from outside the cage.
This one in black robes, fully shrouded in darkness, exuding cold killing intent like a ghost.
The roaring tiger cared not who he was, only to destroy everything before it.
The black-robed man lacked the previous one’s dominance but was more agile.
His ghostly figure flickered, reaching the tiger’s side first. His dagger mercilessly stabbed the tiger’s body.
The tiger reacted swiftly, tail whipping at the black-robed man.
But the tail swept only a remnant shadow.
Unnoticed, the black-robed man was atop the tiger’s head, dagger plunging down.
The tiger was pinned to the ground.
“You two, bullying a tiger is no feat. Come, spar with me!”
At this, a cheerful voice rang out.
All inside and outside the cage turned.
The newcomer wore black tight attire, crisp and cool, long hair flowing freely, very dashing.
“Greetings, Young Master!”
They knelt, bowing to the arrival.
“Rise. I’ve said many times, no need for formalities now. Your strength is key.”
The arrival was Ling Xiao. The previous fighters against the tiger were Meng Tong and Xin.
Meng Tong seemed to idolise his general Qin Huo, using the same weapon and mimicking moves. But due to different traits, the same techniques emerged completely differently.
Meng Tong favoured power, so his moves were overwhelmingly domineering.
Qin Huo was more balanced, at ease.
“Others continue training. Remember, if you won’t die, train madly. Battlefield is far crueler! Meng Tong, Xin, supervise them.”
Qin Huo issued orders, then approached Ling Xiao. “Days apart, Young Master’s strength has risen again. Promoted to late Six Arts Heaven?”
“Heh, can’t hide from General Qin. Meng Tong and Xin seem to have broken through too. Your training works well.”
Ling Xiao came without hiding strength, so Qin Huo naturally saw his realm.
“Meng Tong now peak Seven Star Heaven, Xin peak Six Arts Heaven. Indeed breakthroughs, thanks to your Tianyuan crystals.”
Qin Huo smiled.
“Young Master, fighting beasts is boring. How about us two?”
Meng Tong was a rough man, true martial fanatic, but held high status among soldiers. In battle, he always charged foremost.
Thick-skinned, immensely strong, plus solid strength, he was the soldiers’ idol.
In the army, besides General Qin Huo, they admired Meng Tong most.
Comparatively, though grateful and awed by Ling Xiao, they might not willingly obey him.
They might value Meng Tong’s orders over Ling Xiao’s.
Ling Xiao noticed this. He knew, unless he defeated Meng Tong, he could not gain their trust.
They saw him not as brother but mere benefactor.
But Ling Xiao wanted not benefactor status but to be their brother, leader. This fight was inevitable.
Qin Huo was no match for him.
After all, Qin Huo was Cave Heaven realm.
But Meng Tong, he was confident.
Of course, he knew this inwardly. The soldiers did not, nor thought so.
To them, even at late Six Arts Heaven, Ling Xiao matched Xin at best, definitely not Meng Tong.
Meng Tong could beat beasts stronger than him to death, let alone warriors.
In their view, even if Ling Xiao caught up in realm, he might not beat Meng Tong, especially now far behind.
Even Qin Huo thought so. Hearing Meng Tong, he first rebuked, “Meng Tong, what are you doing? No respect. Young Master is our benefactor. Does his strength matter?”
“General Qin, no need to scold Meng Tong. Today from Lingyue Villa, I fought someone, still excited. Since Meng Tong suggests, let’s spar.”
Ling Xiao stopped Qin Huo, standing smiling.
To fully make these men his, to share hardships and life-death, this fight was unavoidable.
“Young Master truly willing?”
Meng Tong asked excitedly.
“Of course.”
Ling Xiao smiled.
“Heh, Young Master, rest assured. I won’t hurt you. You’re our benefactor. I’ll hold back.”
If others said this, Ling Xiao might frown, seeing sarcasm.
But from Meng Tong, it held no such intent. He genuinely feared harming Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao did not refute.
The fight would reveal all. Meng Tong, a soldier, sensed danger sharper than most.
If he felt threat, he would give his all.
