Ji Changran’s provocation left Ling Xiao somewhat puzzled.
Logically, having severed Wan Qiufeng’s arm in one move, Ji Changran, whose cultivation fell short of Wan Qiufeng’s, should fear him.
Yet why dare provoke?
Could this so-called flag-seizing be a conspiracy aimed at him?
Unlikely!
The thought stunned Ling Xiao. Had he become so prominent that such elaborate efforts targeted him?
Truly impressive.
But Ling Xiao never believed in superstitions.
You wish to oppose me?
Then I shall oblige fully!
Confidence aside, in this setting, they likely sought only to humiliate him, not take his life. Otherwise, they could not account to Feng Yinshan.
Even if they truly wanted him dead, was Feng Qingyan not present? His existence guaranteed Ling Xiao’s safety.
With that, he sneered, “Shameless traitor, spouting betrayal of nation, race, and kin so grandly. Truly laughable!”
“Nonsense. History is written by victors! That old Holy Emperor refused me the holy son title; he deserved death! Nation, race? Laughable. I know only that I now live well, in comfort, nights of revelry, feasts daily. Utterly delighted.”
Ji Changran said disdainfully, “Ling Xiao, you are talented. Why degrade yourself? Join Divine Phoenix Academy. Your future will surpass the present.”
“Victors prosper, losers perish. The strong prey on the weak. Martial law. Heavenly Wolf King destroyed Yunhai Sect due to their weakness. I follow the tide. That is wisdom, the mark of heroes.”
“Heh, truly forgets beatings. Divine Phoenix Academy just lost the elixir market, Sun Shang the Miraculous Hand Heavenly Venerable, even Vice Dean Feng Ming Wanzhong half-dead. Where exactly is your strength?”
Ling Xiao sneered, “Since you wish to compete, I shall indulge!”
“Master, against such a self-debasing wretch, allow me.”
As Ling Xiao prepared, Leng Mei stepped forward.
“Is your body alright?”
“Naturally. You know my body best, master. As long as I avoid Cave Heaven Realm or above, no issues.”
Leng Mei transmitted, “Against that trash, peak Six Arts Heaven suffices.”
“Good. It is yours!”
Ling Xiao nodded.
“Understood, master.”
Leng Mei walked slowly to one passage, then faced Ji Changran, “We may begin.”
“Tch, you are Ling Xiao’s maid, yes? A lowly wretch dares challenge alongside me? I go first!”
Ji Changran frowned at Leng Mei, as if her status diminished him, and rushed the barbaric bear beast.
Leng Mei remained still.
Coming second held no disadvantage.
Ji Changran’s cultivation was not high, peak Six Arts Heaven, but his ability was decent.
He tamed the beast with one punch.
Shocked by his power, it submitted obediently.
But the arrow towers posed greater challenge.
Each archer atop fired seven arrows.
Seven waves of attacks, uninterrupted.
Only enduring all seven could one pass and reach the banner.
Boom! Crack!
First wave: Ji Changran, prepared, deflected both arrows effortlessly.
Second and third waves: he handled with ease.
His movement and power were skilfully applied.
Clearly, he had prepared thoroughly for this flag-seizing, plus solid strength, rendering the first three waves pressure-free.
But the fourth wave came faster, fiercer.
Trouble arose. In haste, he let his mount block one arrow.
He survived the fourth.
Yet chill affected him; movements slowed.
Fifth wave: unable to dodge, a sharp arrow pierced his arm. Defeat.
Rules: penetration by sharp arrow, anywhere, meant loss.
Grazing did not count.
“Impressive. Ji Changran, mere peak Six Arts Heaven, evaded four waves. Best record yet.”
Gasps echoed in the crowd.
Ling Xiao’s face filled with sneers.
This Ji Changran, not only a traitor but a shameful cheat, advancing thus far only by cheating. Truly trash.
Today’s test: Sikong Zun had surely briefed him. He practised countless times, yet failed.
What else but trash?
Ling Xiao smiled disdainfully. Leng Mei’s performance would soon slap this traitor hard.
The humans he scorned would outperform him greatly!
Divine Phoenix warriors celebrated Ji Changran breaking the record.
They dismissed Leng Mei.
Many scorned even Ling Xiao, let alone his maid.
Leng Mei ignored them, approaching the barbaric bear beast slowly.
It roared loudly at first, appearing ferocious.
Seeing this, Ji Changran sneered, “Lowly human, do not get slapped dead by the beast. That would disgrace your master too much. Hahahaha!”
“Hahahaha!”
Laughter erupted from Divine Phoenix students.
But next moment, silence.
Leng Mei did nothing. She simply walked calmly toward the beast. The once-roaring creature suddenly crouched like an obedient cat, allowing her to mount.
“What!”
“What did that woman do?”
Divine Phoenix folk were baffled.
But Ling Xiao knew.
Leng Mei had fully fused killing intent second only to Ye Gushan’s, plus ghostly chill. Even stupid barbaric bear beasts sensed immense threat.
Though foolish, they understood fear.
Against unbeatable foes, they submitted.
“Humph, even if luck tamed it, the arrow towers will yield worse than Ji Changran’s.”
Someone snorted in the crowd.
Hearing this, Ling Xiao smiled faintly.
What confidence allowed such unreliable words?
Leng Mei’s performance soon slapped him.
Facing the first wave, Leng Mei did not even move.
