“Senior Brother Ming Tian, you should know that a group attack isn’t just about numbers. Are you sure you want to do this? You might end up at a disadvantage!”
Ling Xiao was well aware that once this fight began, Ming Tian would undoubtedly target him. An early ninth-stage martial master was someone even he wouldn’t dare confront head-on. In that case, he might not even have a chance to escape.
The gap in cultivation was too vast to be bridged by techniques or talent.
So he didn’t want to go that route.
“Thanks for your concern, Junior Brother, but it’s unnecessary! Even if all of you come at me together, you won’t last three moves against me.”
Ming Tian said with a smile.
“What a headache. How about this, Senior Brother Ming Tian—why not offer some stakes? We can’t just let you thrash us for nothing, right?”
Ling Xiao didn’t like doing things without benefits.
“No matter the outcome, each of you will receive one low-grade true essence pill,” Master Baiyun said from the side.
It was clear Master Baiyun heavily favored Ming Tian. To help him regain confidence, he was willing to offer eleven low-grade true essence pills.
These pills weren’t candies. Even a low-grade true essence pill was extremely valuable, worth at least a hundred thousand taels of gold, and not many could afford them.
“Master, that’s not fair. What if we win?” Ling Xiao asked with a smile.
“That’s impossible.”
Master Baiyun shook his head, “Your cultivations are uneven. Even if eleven peak eighth-stage martial masters teamed up, they wouldn’t be a match for Ming Tian.”
“I’m saying, what if?”
Ling Xiao pressed.
“Forget winning. If you can even injure Ming Tian, I’ll increase the reward from one pill to ten per person!”
Master Baiyun said with a laugh.
“Deal, Master. You’re generous.”
Ling Xiao smiled, then gathered the four from Qianlong Camp, whispering a few words to them.
It wasn’t that he refused to team up with the geniuses from Tianren Academy; he simply didn’t trust them. Working with them would only hold him back.
“Follow my plan, got it?”
Ling Xiao asked, looking at the Qianlong Camp members after finishing.
“No problem.”
Dai Yuling nodded.
With Dai Yuling’s agreement, the other three would surely follow.
“Then it’s settled.”
“Have you finished strategizing?”
Ming Tian, standing in the center of the martial arts hall, asked Ling Xiao impatiently.
“Done. Let’s start.”
Ling Xiao said, but he and the other four from Qianlong Camp stood at the outer edge, not joining the fray.
“Coward!”
Fei Yu cursed, standing with Fei Liu, Die Wu, Zhu Hua, Lu Xing, and Zuo Leng, surrounding Ming Tian.
Ling Xiao said nothing. The results would speak for themselves.
The atmosphere in the martial arts hall grew peculiar.
Ming Tian stood at the center.
He was encircled by the geniuses from Tianren Academy.
Outside that circle stood the Qianlong Camp members.
A ninth-stage martial master? So what?
Unless you’re an extraordinary martial artist, such arrogance will lead to a fall.
Ling Xiao sneered inwardly, confident that his strategy, even if it couldn’t defeat Ming Tian, would at least injure him.
Meanwhile, in the True Spirit Hall, the three observers were debating.
“Does this Ling Xiao not realize how powerful a ninth-stage martial master is?”
Wan Ben sneered.
“Sigh, he’s gotten the better of Ming Tian twice and is getting a bit cocky. That’s not a good trait.”
Master Baiyun sighed.
“Master, I don’t think Ling Xiao is like that.”
Lin Ze disagreed.
“Lin Ze, you’re too protective of this Ling Xiao. Dare to make a bet with me?” Master Baiyun said calmly.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Lin Ze quickly shook his head.
“Are you defying your master?” Master Baiyun frowned. “If Ming Tian comes out unscathed in this fight, you’ll reconcile with Wan Ben and follow his lead. You’re both from lesser races—why fight? What’s the Human Domain worth? Handing it over to the stronger Blue-Eyed Clan or Ninja Clan might even be better.”
“Master, don’t bring this up again! You’ve seen the despicable things the Blue-Eyed Clan and Ninja Clan have done. If the Human Race stops resisting, it’s a crisis of annihilation!”
Lin Ze rarely defied Master Baiyun, but on this matter, he couldn’t agree.
“It’s just a bet. If Ming Tian is injured, I’ll never mention it again and will even save your life once at a critical moment!”
Master Baiyun smiled, “That’s a hefty stake, isn’t it? Or do you not dare bet because you don’t trust Ling Xiao?”
“Master, can I transfer that life-saving chance to Ling Xiao?” Lin Ze said after a moment’s silence.
Master Baiyun was taken aback but nodded, “I didn’t expect you to value him so highly. Fine, I agree.”
“Thank you, Master.”
The three stopped talking and focused closely on the battle in the martial arts hall.
“Susanoo Sword!”
Zuo Leng struck first. Behind him, a massive shadow materialized—the renowned Ninja Clan spirit, Susanoo, also known as Susa Ninja Spirit.
It was in the second stage of a complete soul, the ethereal form.
In terms of ninja spirits, Zuo Leng was no less than Ming Tian.
With a fierce shout, the giant sword in Susanoo’s hands slashed toward Ming Tian.
Around Zuo Leng, eerie black flames burned, enveloping his body, as if they could incinerate everything.
If this were any other early ninth-stage martial master, the overwhelming pressure would force a reaction.
But Ming Tian didn’t move.
Behind him, a massive nine-tailed demon fox roared, shattering the terrifying pressure.
His demon fox feather cloak was noticeably more resplendent than ever before.
At the same time, the other five from Tianren Academy attacked, primarily supporting Zuo Leng.
Ninja Clan Secret Technique—Gigantification!
Die Wu instantly grew massive, swinging a large blade at Ming Tian.
Ninja Clan Secret Technique—Shadow Transformation!
Lu Xing remained still, but a shadow swiftly approached Ming Tian from the ground, morphing into a sharp blade, fast and hard to detect.
Whale Swallowing Palm!
Fei Yu acted, a whale’s shadow appearing behind him—a complete ninja spirit in the first stage, transparent form.
Flowing Water Sword!
Fei Liu thrust his sword, the sound of flowing water echoing as countless water arrows shot toward Ming Tian.
His ninja spirit was likely a complete Flowing Water Ninja Spirit.
Flying Flower Slash!
Zhu Hua moved, the chubby pig behind her opening its mouth to spew countless petals, transforming into sharp blades aimed at Ming Tian.
These six weren’t holding back, seeking insights from the fight with Ming Tian.
Of course, they knew Master Baiyun was likely watching from the shadows, so they wanted to showcase their strength.
Among the six, Zuo Leng’s attack was the most powerful.
Combined, their attacks were even more formidable.
Most early ninth-stage martial masters would struggle to handle such an assault with ease.
Yet Ming Tian stood there, a faint, disdainful smile on his lips.
“Not bad power, but useless!”
