“What a worthy opponent!”
Although he was at a disadvantage, Lingxiao showed no fear. Instead, an excited expression appeared on his face.
He was thoroughly enjoying this fight.
As he spoke, his movements did not pause. After dodging Xiao Zhan’s attack, Lingxiao casually released a Crimson Sun Cone.
The dazzling Crimson Sun Cone was easy to spot, yet its destructive power far exceeded that of the Shadow Cone.
At such close range, he believed it would be difficult for Xiao Zhan to avoid it.
“Not bad, lad. You’ve got some skill!”
A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Zhan’s face, but it quickly turned into excitement and fervour.
This fellow was a battle maniac too, quite similar to Lingxiao in that regard.
Unable to dodge Lingxiao’s attack, Xiao Zhan simply chose not to.
At the spot where the Crimson Sun Cone struck, the burning flames suddenly solidified, resembling freshly cooled lava.
It looked heavy and scorching hot.
Boom!
The Crimson Sun Cone hit the solid mass of flame, producing a muffled explosion before vanishing.
However, this sudden assault still caught Xiao Zhan off guard. His body actually retreated half a step.
Though it was only half a step, he was a warrior of the Second Cavern Heaven realm. To be forced back by a mere Ten Directions Heaven cultivator was nothing short of a humiliating disgrace.
In an instant, the retreat turned into an aggressive advance.
Lingxiao’s attack had ultimately failed to injure him at all.
The gap in cultivation was simply too vast.
Like a spring rebounding, Xiao Zhan shot forward. Flames condensed in his hands to form a long spear, which he thrust straight towards Lingxiao’s head.
Lingxiao was not surprised by this reaction. He had prepared for it long ago.
If Xiao Zhan lacked even this much ability, Lingxiao would not have bothered fighting him. He would have used other powers to eliminate the man outright.
As the flaming spear thrust forward, Lingxiao stabbed out with his Phantom Shadow Sword at the same time.
On the Phantom Shadow Sword, a conical object formed from light and darkness brimmed with explosive power.
Then, the two collided once more.
Boom!
Violent energy waves clashed and burst outwards, sending many nearby tables and chairs flying.
Fine cracks even appeared beneath their feet.
One must remember that this giant ship was constructed using the most advanced puppet machinery from the White Tiger Continent. Its deck was tough enough to withstand a full-power strike from a Cavern Heaven warrior.
This alone showed that, although their attacks appeared unflashy, they were filled with lethal power. Both were using deadly moves intended to kill the opponent.
This collision forced a muffled groan from Lingxiao. His figure rapidly retreated.
Anyone else might have truly embarrassed themselves.
Yet Lingxiao forcefully countered the impact with his superior movement technique. After several graceful backflips in mid-air, he landed steadily on the ship’s rail.
Xiao Zhan was pushed back again. Though only one step, it completely unbalanced the mindset of this overconfident Blazing Fire General.
He had initiated the fight yet could not quickly defeat Lingxiao. This was utterly humiliating!
Especially in front of so many people, and in front of Princess Yun Ya!
In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged several blows. The lightning-fast duel was laced with killing intent. A single mistake by either side could lead to ruthless domination by the other.
Few had expected this situation.
In their view, this should have been the battle where Lingxiao’s true weakness was exposed.
It should have been the Blazing Fire General brutally thrashing the Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Empire.
Yet now, they stared at Lingxiao in astonishment.
This young alchemist skilled in pill refining, the youngest founding emperor in the Profound World, this teenage warrior with only Ten Directions Heaven cultivation, possessed battle experience that was in no way inferior to the renowned Blazing Fire General.
In some aspects of adaptability, he even surpassed him.
It was precisely these variations that allowed Lingxiao to avoid defeat amid the lightning exchanges.
Among the guests at today’s banquet, Lingxiao likely had the lowest cultivation.
Those invited by Medicine King Sun Ran were mostly warriors of Cavern Heaven realm or higher, including the disciples from Evergreen Immortal Island.
All of them could see the danger and thrill in the earlier fight.
Lingxiao had managed to neutralise Xiao Zhan’s attacks one by one while even launching counterattacks. This was truly remarkable.
After all, Blazing Fire General Xiao Zhan was one of the Thirteen Divine Generals of the Divine Phoenix Empire. Across the entire Divine Phoenix Continent, he was undoubtedly a powerhouse.
His battlefield experience in slaying enemies was extraordinarily rich.
If not for his exceptional bravery and strength, Fengming Qishan would never have ranked him among the Thirteen Divine Generals.
When enraged, this man would dare to fight even warriors stronger than himself.
Yet against Lingxiao, he had failed to gain a significant advantage.
Of course, since they were fighting aboard the ship, even the crude Blazing Fire General dared not unleash his full power. Destroying the vessel would invite blame from Medicine King Sun Ran, which would be troublesome.
He was rough and overbearing, but not stupid.
The question was, had Lingxiao used his full strength?
Many had heard that Lingxiao could control a gigantic skeleton, yet clearly he had not done so today.
Both were holding back, but Xiao Zhan had the higher cultivation yet could not gain the upper hand. No wonder so many people were shocked.
“Could the rumours from the outside world be true? Lingxiao’s combat ability really is impressive!”
Ji Luoyu watched Lingxiao, a trace of surprise in her eyes.
Though she did not know Xiao Zhan well, her discernment was exceptionally sharp. Apart from not using the inner energy of the Second Cavern Heaven realm, Xiao Zhan had employed nearly all his techniques and experience, yet he could not overwhelm Lingxiao.
Instead, the situation appeared evenly matched.
This Lingxiao might be far more capable than she had imagined.
Dan Qing’s expression was rather grim. He had eagerly anticipated Lingxiao being thrashed and had even mocked him earlier, saying that fighting Xiao Zhan was suicidal.
The current scene left him quite embarrassed.
Hearing Ji Luoyu praise Lingxiao only made him more irritated. He said coldly, “The environment here is restricting General Xiao Zhan’s hands and feet. Otherwise, Lingxiao would have lost long ago.”
“Though that’s true, Brother Dan Qing must not forget that Lingxiao is only at the early stage of Ten Directions Heaven. Facing Xiao Zhan with that cultivation, even if the opponent is not going all out, it is still something to be proud of.”
Despite harbouring some resentment towards Lingxiao, Ji Luoyu did not completely detest him. Her preferences were clear: she admired the strong and capable, while scorning the weak and incompetent.
Though somewhat pragmatic, it was realistic.
As a disciple of Medicine King Sun Ran, she had seen too many experts. Unless someone possessed something special, she would not even bother sparing them a second glance.
“Tch!”
Hearing this, Dan Qing felt even more displeased, but he could not direct it at Ji Luoyu. Offending Medicine King Sun Ran would bring no benefit.
Moreover, he had studied under Sun Ran for a time and could be considered half a disciple.
