“Impressive!”
Ling Xiao smiled. He did not know what martial art Meng Tong practised, but it was clearly powerful.
Otherwise, such momentum would be impossible.
Of course, the stronger Meng Tong was, the happier he felt.
“Come, use your strongest strike. Let me see your mettle!”
Ling Xiao did not advance. He stood like an eternal war god, unmoved by raging waves or howling winds.
“Young master, careful!”
Meng Tong’s move reached its peak.
Momentum was even, but battles were not won on aura alone. Results decided.
As the words fell, Meng Tong’s square-sky painted halberd shook. All erupted battle intent vanished, condensing fully at the spear tip.
The overwhelming intent that had pressured many watching soldiers now compressed to the tip’s size.
Once released, how terrifying would it be.
“Good!”
Facing this spear, Ling Xiao praised openly. Black and white energies gathered on his Golden Crow Sword.
Slaughter and destruction sword intents fused with it.
Hundred Battles Divine Spear!
Light-Shadow Divine Awl!
Boom, boom, boom!
Thunderous roars echoed underground. Unprepared soldiers were knocked down by the shock, faces full of fear.
Terrifying!
Truly terrifying!
They thought Meng Tong a monster, fearsome in power.
Yet this refined-looking Ling Xiao was equally formidable.
A single clash convinced them utterly.
Even if Ling Xiao lost this duel, they submitted.
Led by such a man, their future shone bright.
The standoff continued, but sharp-eyed onlookers noticed Meng Tong retreating.
Cracks spread where he stepped. His legs sank into the soil, yet he slid back.
“Die!”
A word exploded from Ling Xiao.
Everyone shuddered.
In that instant, they saw a god of death. The underground seemed a sea of blood.
Moments later, the booming ended.
The erupted auras vanished.
Meng Tong stood dazed. A sword tip rested at his neck, a red droplet on it.
“I lost! I lost!”
Meng Tong smiled bitterly. “Never thought the young master so strong. Even at full power, I am no match.”
“Your weakness is few move variations, but that is also your strength. It depends on the foe.”
Ling Xiao sheathed his sword with a smile, patting Meng Tong’s shoulder. “Ordinary people cannot spot your flaws. Keep your style. It may be best. No need to change.”
He said this to prevent Meng Tong, after defeat, rashly altering his style and straying.
“Understood. Young master’s sword nearly convinced me death was near. That slaughter sword intent is dreadful.”
Now Meng Tong willingly served Ling Xiao, fully convinced.
Before, it was gratitude. Now, sincere loyalty. Seemingly similar, but vastly different.
Gratitude kept him an outsider, Ling Xiao a benefactor.
Sincere loyalty made Ling Xiao family, a brother.
Watching soldiers gazed at Ling Xiao with admiration and respect.
A sixteen-year-old boy, so powerful. They felt ashamed.
“Young master, your sword intent must be minor accomplishment?”
“Minor accomplishment seventh layer, close to major.”
Ling Xiao’s cultivation, light-shadow mysteries, and sword intent all advanced.
Thus his combat power stayed immense.
Unlike many warriors who focused on cultivation, leaving martial skills behind.
He did not.
“Young master is amazing. Sword intent, so elusive, yet you improve constantly. We feel ashamed.”
Qin Huo smiled bitterly. “My cultivation is Cave Heaven realm, but battle intent only entry level, stuck before minor accomplishment.”
Sword intent was a battle intent, separated due to many sword users. Comprehending and using it was hard.
reportedly, of 100,000 warriors, 10,000 awakened intent.
Of those 10,000, only 1,000 solidified and trained it to entry.
Of that 1,000, few reached minor accomplishment.
Many erupted strong auras unconsciously, but it was not true intent, unusable for combat or enhancement.
“It depends on fate. I cannot help. I came for something else.”
Ling Xiao smiled. “Border trials start soon. I will assign you under Beimo City Lord, Shenhuang Empire Great General Ji Ning. Enough military merit frees you from slave status!”
“Really?”
They remained slaves in Shenhuang records. Freedom required merit, not words.
Hearing Ling Xiao, they thrilled.
“True. But Shenhuang battlefields are deadlier than Tianlong Continent. Raise your strength fast. I will handle weapons and gear. No worry.”
Ling Xiao reminded.
“Young master, rest assured. We will train desperately.”
Qin Huo nodded.
“Remember, your lives are not just yours, but mine. I forbid any death. Survive desperately. Witness the human sacred dynasty reclaim Xuan Realm!”
Ling Xiao declared loudly.
“Yes!”
Unified voices rang out.
Ling Xiao nodded, satisfied.
Soldier-born warriors differed. Excellent discipline. They completed tasks perfectly. This reassured him.
“Continue training. I won’t disturb.”
Under night cover, Ling Xiao left the hidden house.
As when he arrived, ghost-like, silent.
Shadow Step with Shadow Armour. Unless far stronger, detecting him was difficult.
