A fifteen-meter leap in the Void Crossing didn’t seem impressive on its own.
But context made it clear. The best record in the Elite Hall so far was fourteen and a half meters.
And that record belonged to Ling Fei.
He’d just broken his own mark.
The crowd was floored. Ling Fei might be average elsewhere, but his light-body skill was undeniably the Elite Hall’s finest.
“I can’t match you,” Ling Yixue said, her lips parting slightly as she shook her head.
“Senior Sister’s too kind. I’m just good at light-body skills—nothing else catches your eye!” Ling Fei chuckled, his words humble but his face beaming with pride.
Showing off in front of Ling Yixue—how could he not be thrilled?
“Senior Brother Ling Fei, can’t you slow down a bit and wait for us?” someone teased.
“Hahaha, just work hard, and you’ll get there. On to the second event!” Ling Fei replied.
The second test stunned them again.
Eighteen meters straight up, then a graceful landing—effortless and steady.
“Your turn, Ling Xiao. The speed test needs us both, but finish the first two first,” Ling Fei said with a smirk, eyeing him.
The crowd’s attention finally shifted to Ling Xiao, though their looks dripped with disdain and a touch of pity.
Like they were watching a beggar by the roadside.
No one thought Ling Xiao could outdo Ling Fei—not even the onlookers.
“No need to remind me,” Ling Xiao said with a faint smile, stepping to the starting line.
Purely on light-body skill, he’d lose to Ling Fei, no question.
But with the Explosive Qi Technique, he could nearly double his output in a flash.
Beating Ling Fei might not be an issue.
“Hmph, putting on airs!” The crowd bristled at his casual stance.
“Begin!” Ling Yixue’s voice rang out.
Ling Xiao leapt.
He didn’t use the Explosive Qi Technique at first—true qi was precious, and there were three events. No need to go overboard.
Outshining Ling Fei was enough; he didn’t need to shock the world.
“Huh? This kid’s light-body skill’s decent. Not as smooth as Ling Fei’s, but solid enough,” someone remarked.
Ling Yixue frowned slightly. She hadn’t expected Ling Xiao to master his technique so well in such a short time.
At about twelve meters, his body began to drop.
“Hahaha, he’s done for!”
“Told you he can’t match Senior Brother Ling Fei!”
“Twelve meters isn’t bad, though—not a total disgrace!”
But just as he seemed about to hit the ground, something propelled him forward another four meters before he landed.
Dead silence.
Everyone turned mute.
“Sixteen meters plus!” Ling Yixue spoke first, her surprise morphing into shock.
What had happened to Ling Xiao to progress this fast?
“No mistake, right? Over sixteen meters?”
“No way. But what’s with him? He shot out a few extra meters out of nowhere.”
“Cheating!” Ling Fei shouted.
“Not cheating,” Ling Yixue countered, shaking her head. “As a Ling Clan disciple, haven’t you heard of the Explosive Qi Technique? It’s in the library.”
Ling Fei knew of it, sure. But secret techniques were tougher than standard skills—comprehension was a beast.
He’d never imagined Ling Xiao had mastered it.
Unconvinced but helpless, he trembled with rage, forced to concede.
“Second event—Sky Ladder!”
Ling Xiao’s moves lacked Ling Fei’s flair but were practical.
Like before, he timed the Explosive Qi Technique for the descent.
From about twelve meters up, he surged to twenty.
“Second event—Ling Xiao wins!”
He’d taken both Void Crossing and Sky Ladder!
Jaws dropped. No one dared call his light-body skill weak anymore.
It wasn’t pretty, but it wasn’t feeble.
“Need the third event, Senior Brother Ling Fei?” Ling Xiao asked, eyeing Ling Fei’s now-livid face.
“Yes! Why not? Speed’s the heart of movement!” Ling Fei roared.
“Really? I was gonna let you save face and call it here. Why bother?” Ling Xiao said.
“Spare me your fake pity! I don’t believe you’ll win the third!” Ling Fei snapped.
He was certain Ling Xiao’s true qi was spent—no way he could keep up.
Winning the third event handily could salvage his pride and even let him mock Ling Xiao.
“Fine, but there’s gotta be stakes. I’ve already won—why waste more time?” Ling Xiao replied.
He’d come to get a doctor for his grandfather, but here he was, stuck for nearly half an hour.
No reward, no point in continuing.
“Deal! If you win again, I’ll cover all your grandfather’s treatment costs,” Ling Fei offered.
He had no choice—Ling Xiao wouldn’t budge otherwise, and forcing him would only worsen his humiliation.
“No need. I’ve got silver,” Ling Xiao said.
Back then, he might’ve taken it. Now? He didn’t care.
“Then what do you want?” Ling Fei bellowed.
“A Breakthrough Pill,” Ling Xiao stated.
He aimed to hit the third Martial Vein level by the annual competition—a Breakthrough Pill was key.
“That’s outrageous!”
“Yeah, who’d bet a Breakthrough Pill?”
“But hold on—Ling Xiao’s already won two out of three. He doesn’t even need the third round.”
A few saw reason, giving Ling Xiao a sliver of hope for the clan.
“Not willing? Forget it then,” Ling Xiao said, shrugging and motioning to the doctor to leave.
“Fine! I agree!” Ling Fei shouted.
“Senior Brother Ling Fei, don’t be rash!”
“Yeah, it’s not worth it!”
“What, even you don’t trust me now?” Ling Fei’s face darkened further. The crowd’s shift from blind faith to doubt showed how badly he’d already lost face.
The third event was a must—he had to reclaim his dignity.
“Senior Sister Ling Yixue, witness this. Their promises are like farts—I’m not taking chances,” Ling Xiao said, turning to her.
“Sure. If he reneges, I’ll cover it,” Ling Yixue replied.
By now, she was genuinely intrigued by Ling Xiao’s skills and wanted to see more.
