In times of peril, the so-called sworn brothers revealed just how devoid of humanity they truly were.
Jia Tian Feng sneered. “Peng Yue, do not blame us. When the Star Phoenix Son was killed earlier, we did not see you lift a finger either. The wise know when to adapt. Ling Xiao is stronger than all of us. You should understand that clearly. But you did something utterly stupid. You cannot blame us for it.”
“Exactly. We have no reason to carry the blame for your mistakes.”
Kong Ming nodded in agreement.
“People! Cowards!”
Peng Yue could only roar in fury. “If I, Peng Yue, survive today, I will surely kill the two of you.”
While the three of them tore into each other like dogs, Ling Xiao observed coldly from the side. Were these so-called sworn brothers?
They were nothing more than fair-weather friends. When interests aligned, they banded together. When trouble arose, each looked out only for themselves.
Ling Xiao would never befriend such people. If his friends were like this, he would have abandoned them long ago.
That was why, whenever he faced danger, there were always those who came to his aid.
Because when they faced danger, he would help them without hesitation, even at the risk of his own life.
“Peng Yue, there is no point in struggling further. Today, you will die.”
Ling Xiao had actually wanted to kill Peng Yue for a long time. Only half a year ago, he had lacked the strength and did not wish to rely on Yue Nü or Leng Mei.
Now he possessed that strength. Moreover, given what this fellow had done to him today, he naturally intended to eliminate him without any mercy.
His footsteps advanced slowly. An icy killing intent condensed into an invisible giant sword pointed directly at Peng Yue, the Heavenly Peng Phoenix Son.
“No, you cannot kill me! You cannot! I can give you anything you want. Anything!”
Peng Yue shook his head, his body retreating constantly. His fear had reached its peak. At this moment, to stay alive, he truly would do anything for Ling Xiao.
“It is useless. When I first arrived in the Divine Phoenix Empire, you attempted to take my life multiple times. Back then, I was weaker than you, so I did not retaliate.
You should not have provoked me again. This path to death is one you chose yourself. When you die, do not blame me.”
Ling Xiao calmly stated his reasons for killing Peng Yue without fail.
His footsteps continued forward.
In that instant, Peng Yue suddenly transformed. He unfurled eagle wings and shot into the sky, his speed as swift as lightning.
“Hahaha, did you really think you could kill me? Though I am no match for you in combat, my speed is far greater than yours.”
High in the sky, Peng Yue suddenly burst into loud laughter. It turned out that his earlier fear had all been an act.
This fellow had been waiting for even the slightest moment of laxity from Ling Xiao to suddenly flee.
Now he believed he had succeeded.
A cold smile curved the corners of Ling Xiao’s mouth.
Speed?
Did he not know that within the Cave Heaven realm, there were those whose speed surpassed even his?
Eighth Profound Meaning of Light: Wings of Light!
In the past six months, Ling Xiao had comprehended the profound meanings of light and shadow up to the tenth step.
Many of these profound meanings had been developed by combining them with his own inherent advantages.
For instance, the Wings of Light and Wings of Darkness from the ninth profound meaning were exactly such cases.
The Wings of Light unfurled. Two pairs of golden, radiant wings instantly pierced the firmament.
That was no longer a person.
It was a beam of light.
It happened in a mere instant.
The Heavenly Peng Phoenix Son felt a sharp pain in the centre of his forehead.
Then his entire body gradually lost consciousness and plummeted swiftly from the sky.
Only in that final moment did he suddenly realise that Ling Xiao’s strength had already reached a level capable of utterly crushing any First Cave Heaven realm expert.
As for exactly how powerful his cultivation was, it remained a mystery.
Peng Yue would never know that Ling Xiao’s killing of him and those Justice Divine Guards today had merely been a test of new techniques. Not a single one of his true trump cards had been revealed.
Those trump cards were reserved for far stronger enemies, like the Sword Demon.
Using them on these people would have been a waste.
Thud!
Peng Yue’s corpse finally smashed into the ground. Though his robust body remained intact, he had long since lost all signs of life.
Great Peng feathers scattered chaotically through the sky, carrying a mournful air.
The Heavenly Peng Phoenix Son was dead.
In a single day, Ling Xiao had killed two Phoenix Sons in succession.
This was absolutely a matter that would shock the entire Divine Phoenix Empire.
An earth-shattering event.
The onlookers trembled inwardly. Their gazes towards Ling Xiao held not only awe, but also bewilderment.
Ling Xiao’s power had far exceeded their imagination.
Jia Tian Feng and Kong Ming had already slipped away quietly.
Today’s flight was a humiliation.
They vowed that during the Dragon Phoenix Selection or the White Tiger Conference, they would reclaim their pride.
Or perhaps they would use some extreme methods to ensure Ling Xiao died sooner.
Since they were no match in open combat, they would play dirty.
…
Outside the Divine Phoenix imperial capital, three riders galloped towards the city.
Their speed was astonishing, sweeping past like a fierce gale.
Their mounts were all precious exotic beasts.
Upon the beasts rode one man and two women.
If Ling Xiao were here, he would recognise these three as Feng Ming Xiao, the Medicine King Sun Ran, and the Medicine King’s disciple Ji Luo Yu.
“The famous foreign trade market lies just ahead outside the capital. If the two of you are interested, we may browse a little. There is no rush to enter the city.”
It was still early, so Feng Ming Xiao was in no hurry to return.
She had travelled vast distances to the White Tiger Continent and spent a fortune inviting the Medicine King Sun Ran to the Divine Phoenix capital. On one hand, it was to have him refine breakthrough pills to the Cave Heaven realm for her future son-in-law, Ji Ming Xing.
On the other, it was to have Sun Ran take charge at the Divine Phoenix Academy and revive the academy’s devastated pill market.
Thus, her attitude towards these two was extremely courteous.
Even though the Divine Phoenix holy light baptism had rendered her incapable of recognising kin, she would still diligently handle matters beneficial to the empire.
“Very well, let us take a look around.”
The three dismounted their beasts and strolled through the market. The many novel items caught their eyes, leaving them quite dazzled.
“Rather interesting. The goods from the Heavenly Dynasty Empire are truly unique. That Ling Xiao can be considered quite a figure. Though his cultivation is nothing remarkable, his ingenuity in clever inventions is truly first-rate.”
As they wandered, the three discovered many stalls run by Heavenly Dynasty merchants. The wares on display were far more novel than those from other nations, and business was booming.
Upon inquiry, these merchants revealed that the designs all came from their Heavenly Emperor. He allowed them to obtain the blueprints for free, manufacture the items, and sell them.
Seeing this scene, the Medicine King Sun Ran could not help but feel a touch of emotion.
In the past, he had met Ling Xiao in Sin City and held no favourable impression of the youth. Now, seeing how great Ling Xiao appeared in the eyes of Heavenly Dynasty merchants, he inevitably felt somewhat displeased.
Thus, he hastily purchased a couple of items and prepared to enter the city.
Yet they had taken only a few steps when a sudden commotion arose in the market. A storyteller climbed onto a platform and shouted loudly. “Everyone, today what I shall recount is not ancient tales nor distant anecdotes, but a colossal event that has only just occurred in our imperial capital today.”
“Boast all you like. What great event could possibly happen in the capital? If there is one, it would be today’s wedding between Ji Ming Xing and Feng Ming Lian, but that is merely a marriage among nobles and officials. What does it have to do with us?”
Someone in the crowd below scoffed disdainfully.
