In the end, only a little over five hundred people remained by Ling Xiaotian’s side.
“Hahaha, Ling Xiaotian, do you see now? This is your fate—abandoned by all. Feels great, doesn’t it?” Shi Long laughed heartily, as if he could already see Ling Xiaotian’s miserable end.
Ling Xiaotian was in poor spirits, his morale crushed, his face pale, and his lips trembling uncontrollably.
Suddenly, he spotted a figure in the crowd.
Ling Xiao!
He hadn’t chosen to leave?
In that moment, Ling Xiaotian felt as if he’d been yanked back from the brink of despair.
In life-or-death moments, a person’s true character shines through.
Today, even with so many of the Ling family’s own kin turning traitor, Ling Xiao—an outsider disciple who’d faced plenty of injustice—hadn’t betrayed them!
This brought the old man immense comfort.
“What a pity, I realized it too late. If I’d noticed you sooner, I’d have groomed you as a key talent,” he thought with a hint of helplessness. Today, the Ling family was doomed, and Ling Xiao staying behind meant he’d die too—a real talent.
A talent with a shining character, no less.
What a waste.
If they’d focused on nurturing him, even positioning him as the future patriarch, the Ling family could have thrived under his leadership.
“Ling Xiao, Ling Yihang, Ling Yixue, you three take your families and go. Join the ninja clan,” Ling Xiaotian suddenly sighed.
He wasn’t sure if this was the right call, but he genuinely wanted to spare these three. They weren’t just gifted—they had integrity far beyond those shameless turncoats.
“Hahaha, old man, you’ve finally said something sensible! Ling Xiao, Ling Yihang, Ling Yixue, if you three submit to the ninja clan, you’ll earn a spot at the Tiannin Academy in Baiyun Prefecture, with special protection and training!” Shi Long laughed, “And your families won’t die either.”
Personally, Shi Long didn’t want these three alive.
Their talents were exceptional.
Especially Ling Xiao—even in all of Baiyun Prefecture, he’d stand out.
He didn’t want them growing into threats.
But the ninja clan emissaries had explicitly told him to try recruiting them.
He trusted the ninja clan could turn these three into loyal dogs.
After all, they’d already churned out plenty of human scum like that.
“They can enter Tiannin Academy? That’s so enviable, I wouldn’t hesitate if it were me.”
“Yeah, those three proved themselves at the Tianfeng Grand Meeting. Especially Ling Xiao—he even beat Li Xinghui. His future’s limitless.”
“Even the patriarch doesn’t want them dying for nothing.”
“Sigh, why don’t we have that kind of luck?”
Even those who’d already defected to the ninja clan were jealous of such preferential treatment.
Ling Xiao, in particular, had every reason to leave.
First, he was an outsider disciple, not of Ling family blood.
Second, he’d been marginalized, even targeted for assassination within the family without justice, so he ought to harbor resentment.
Most figured Ling Xiao’s choice was obvious.
“If I join the ninja clan, can I get into Tiannin Academy too?” a sudden voice cut in.
“It’s Ling Chen?”
“How could Ling Chen—!”
“Of course, you’re also eligible for Tiannin Academy!” This time, Fei Yun spoke.
“Tiannin Academy! Hahaha, too bad I’m a Ling family member, with Ling blood in my veins! If I defect now, wouldn’t I become a traitor and an unfilial son?” Ling Chen’s words finally eased Ling Xiaotian’s worries.
“Good, Ling Chen, you’re truly the grandson I pinned my hopes on—far better than your shameless father!” Ling Xiaotian said, referring to Ling Chen’s father, Ling Shisan, who’d already joined the ninja clan to oppose the family.
“I thought Brother Ling Chen was going to betray us, but it seems he’s not like his father. After all, he’s even been to the fourth floor of the Ling family library—practically a favored son.”
“Yeah, his spirit’s commendable, though it’s a shame he’ll die with the Ling family.”
“Ling Chen’s a bit despicable, but on this matter today, he’s a real man. Respect.”
Even Ling Yihang started to admire Ling Chen.
Amid the chatter, Ling Chen suddenly struck, driving a dagger into the back of a nearby Supreme Elder with lightning speed.
Then, under everyone’s stunned gazes, he yanked out the blade and darted to Shi Long’s side without hesitation.
“So what if I’m a traitor and unfilial? To grow stronger, I’ll stop at nothing!” Ling Chen said coldly, his gaze sharp.
Turning to Fei Yun, he added, “Lord Emissary, the Ling family has three Supreme Elders. I’ve wounded one—not enough to kill him, but it’ll weaken his fighting strength and cut our losses.”
“Well done!” Fei Yun glanced at Ling Chen, a flicker of approval in his eyes.
The ninja clan needed shameless types like him—only they could carry out their agenda.
“Despicable!”
“Ling Chen, how can you face our ancestors?”
“What a shameless wretch—how could the Ling family produce such a disgrace?”
“Traitor! Traitor—!” Ling Xiaotian trembled with rage, his already pale face growing even whiter.
“I’ll end you!” With that, Ling Xiaotian lunged forward, his attack simple yet swift, closing in on Ling Chen in an instant.
But just then, Shi Long stepped in front of Ling Chen, meeting him with both fists.
Their clash sent a shockwave through the ground, leaving a crater three or four meters wide, the plants within shredded to dust.
Shi Long’s body quivered slightly.
Ling Xiaotian retreated, his strike thwarted.
“Heh, old man, don’t get mad. You want to die, that’s your choice, but the Ling family shouldn’t perish because of you,” Ling Chen, who’d been terrified moments ago, now jumped out with a laugh once he saw he was safe, “Don’t worry, after you’re gone, I’ll make the Ling family thrive—stronger than it ever was under you.”
Ling Xiaotian stared at Ling Chen, too furious to speak.
He never imagined the grandson he’d cherished and groomed most would betray him at a time like this.
It truly felt like everyone had turned against him.
Bleakness settled in.
“Ling Xiao, Ling Yihang, Ling Yixue—what’s your choice?” Shi Long turned to Ling Xiao, “Ling Chen knows to pick the winning side, and you three—one’s just a branch family member, the other two are outsiders with no blood ties to the Ling family. Why die for them?”
Even Shi Long could see that Ling Xiao’s decision would sway Ling Yihang and Ling Yixue.
So asking Ling Xiao alone was enough.
Ling Xiao gazed calmly at Shi Long, puzzled. How could someone who’d sold their soul, betrayed their race and nation, act so self-righteous?
Had being a slave really given him a sense of superiority?
