Zhang opened his mouth wide. Everyone seemed to be in a state of oxygen deprivation, gasping for air in huge breaths.
All because of that terrifying yet dazzlingly brilliant sword.
What a fearsome sword it was, impossible to forget.
That sword came from Ling Xiao’s hand!
A martial artist who, just half a year ago, was only at the ninth level of the Heavenly Human Realm.
Today, with this single sword, he completely defeated Shangguan Hong, the arrogant genius of the second Cave Heaven Realm!
Before Ling Xiao made his move, most people never expected this outcome.
They believed Ling Xiao was no match for Shangguan Hong.
Even Feng Xidao, who had been defeated by Ling Xiao, thought Shangguan Hong was stronger.
Yet this one sword thoroughly slapped many faces.
A miserable scream shot straight up to the clouds above the Imperial Capital Plaza, sending shivers through everyone.
One of Shangguan Hong’s arms was chopped off clean. As it fell, it completely melted in mid-air, turning into flying ash and vanishing without a trace.
Ling Xiao had shown mercy.
He originally planned to kill Shangguan Hong, but the man later showed genuine remorse, which changed his mind. So he only severed one arm.
Shangguan Hong stared in disbelief at his severed arm. The wound had already been charred, and no blood flowed anymore.
“Why did you spare me? You know I just wanted you dead!”
He truly could not believe he was still alive. Rumours said Ling Xiao was a demon who never forgave even the smallest grudge. Almost no one survived under his hand.
Ling Xiao withdrew all his battle intent, smiled faintly and said, “Because you truly repented, you saved yourself. How you should walk your path from now on, I think I do not need to explain much. There is still some time before the Dragon-Tiger Selection. I believe you will become even stronger.”
“But if I return to Qingxu Academy now, will the people there still accept me? Will the people from Shenhuang Academy let me go?”
Shangguan Hong asked.
“You cannot expect me to be your nanny. The things you have done will naturally make people hate you, so some consequences must be borne. I can only say I will not look down on you. As for the people from Shenhuang Academy, even if you gave them a hundred times more courage, they would not dare come into the academy to cause you trouble.”
Ling Xiao said calmly, “My words end here. Take care of yourself.”
Shangguan Hong lowered his head and stayed silent for a long time. Finally he raised his face and said, “I want to go back. The teachers at Qingxu Academy treated me well, especially Senior Sister Mingkong and Vice Dean Feng Qingyan. Even if they curse me to death, I will accept it.
Now, I just want to be like you, to live upright and true as myself once. Whoever from Shenhuang Academy wants to come, I will face them to the end!”
“Good. That is the spirit of a proud man!”
Ling Xiao did not say one thing out loud: as long as Shangguan Hong sincerely returned to Qingxu Academy, if Shenhuang Academy sent someone stronger than him to cause trouble, he would step in to handle it.
After all, he was the one who persuaded Shangguan Hong to turn back.
The crowd’s mouths seemed unable to close.
If Ling Xiao defeating Shangguan Hong with overwhelming dominance had already shocked them greatly,
then Shangguan Hong, after losing an arm, not only did not hate Ling Xiao but even agreed to return to Qingxu Academy. That shocked them even more.
Shangguan Hong was now a member of Shenhuang Academy. Although there was no explicit rule forbidding him to leave, would Shenhuang Academy let him go so easily?
“Shangguan Hong, you had better think carefully. Leaving Shenhuang Academy is not as simple as leaving Qingxu Academy. There will be a price to pay.”
Jia Tianfeng looked at Shangguan Hong coldly and said.
“Exactly. Joining Shenhuang Academy is easy. Leaving is not so simple.”
Kong Ming added.
“What a joke. Back then you threatened me exactly like this. Because I lost to Ji Mingxing, I gave in. I have already acted like a coward once. This time, I will not be afraid anymore. What are you two? Do not think that just because I lost to Ling Xiao, you can climb over my head. If you have the ability, come and fight!”
Shangguan Hong glared domineeringly at Jia Tianfeng and Kong Ming and shouted.
“You mean, both of us?”
Jia Tianfeng and Kong Ming exchanged a glance, both showing vicious grins.
“Yes, both of you together. If I lose, not only will I give up the position of Phoenix Child, I will also kill myself on the spot.”
Shangguan Hong declared loudly.
Jia Tianfeng and Kong Ming both glanced at Ling Xiao. Towards Ling Xiao, they felt deep wariness.
“Do not worry. I will not interfere.”
Ling Xiao turned and slowly walked down from the high platform.
Next, it was Shangguan Hong’s show.
Jia Tianfeng and Kong Ming were truly foolish. Shangguan Hong did lose to him, Ling Xiao, but Shangguan Hong’s strength was far above ordinary second Cave Heaven Realm martial artists. Even against ordinary third Cave Heaven Realm martial artists, he would not be at a disadvantage.
Although Jia Tianfeng and Kong Ming had decent strength, they were only newcomers who had just stepped into the second Cave Heaven Realm.
If Ling Xiao had not misjudged, this fight would not take long.
“Ah~~”
“Impossible!”
Only a few breaths.
Just two moves.
Ling Xiao had not even returned to his seat when Jia Tianfeng and Kong Ming were already sent flying off the high platform.
“Two pieces of trash dare to threaten me? Do you really think you are Ling Xiao?”
Although Shangguan Hong now had only one arm, he seemed even stronger than before.
Because in the battle with Ling Xiao, he had learned a great deal. Although he could not become as powerful as Ling Xiao, he had gained enormous benefits.
Looking at Jia Tianfeng and Kong Ming lying on the ground.
The crowd grew excited once again.
Before Shangguan Hong, Feng Xidao was defeated!
Jia Tianfeng was defeated!
Kong Ming was also defeated!
Moreover, Jia Tianfeng and Kong Ming had joined forces.
Yet Ling Xiao had won easily, severing one of Shangguan Hong’s arms, and even made Shangguan Hong admire him completely.
Just how strong was Ling Xiao?
Today’s Phoenix Child position probably needed no further consideration. It would surely go to Ling Xiao and Shangguan Hong.
“Hahaha, good! My Shenhuang Empire truly produces talents one after another. Today, I announce here: Shangguan Hong is the ninth Phoenix Child, granted the title ‘Rainbow Phoenix Child’!
Ji Luoyu is the tenth Phoenix Child, granted the title ‘Falling Rain Phoenix Child’.”
Feng Ming Wuliang stood up and announced the result of the Phoenix Child contest.
Something was wrong!
The crowd immediately erupted.
“Ling Xiao is clearly the strongest. Why is he not a Phoenix Child? Instead they gave the position to Ji Luoyu?”
“This is unfair.”
“Exactly. How can the Emperor judge so carelessly? It is too disappointing.”
Hearing the discussions below the stage, Feng Ming Wuliang smiled lightly and said, “Everyone, please do not be impatient. The reason I did not confer the title of Phoenix Child on Heavenly Dragon King Ling Xiao is because I know he would not accept it.”
“So that is how it is. Ling Xiao is indeed very arrogant. He probably does not want to be bound by anything.”
“That makes sense.”
“I think that is utter nonsense!”
Ling Xiao’s voice drowned out all the discussions. He looked coldly at Feng Ming Wuliang and said, “Whether I accept it or not is my business. Whether you confer it or not is your business. Do not mix the two together!
Even if I would not accept it, you should still ask me, seek my opinion.
Are you treating me as if I do not exist?
Favouritism and unfairness are just that. Why put gold on your own face?”
