“What opportunity does Master offer this disciple?” Ling Xiao asked, his gaze cold but devoid of hatred. Master Baiyun’s actions chilled him, but the man had once saved his life. Hatred was too much; they could simply part ways.
“Ling Xiao, you believe your strength is exceptional, with few young experts in Baiyun Province able to surpass you,” Master Baiyun said slowly. “But do you dare challenge Zuo Leng? If you can fight him to a draw, his slot is yours.”
The Qianlong Camp disciples bristled with indignation. Zuo Leng was an early ninth-layer Martial Master, while Ling Xiao was only early eighth-layer—a vast gap. This “opportunity” was no opportunity at all.
The Tianren Academy disciples smirked, eager to see Ling Xiao humiliated.
Seeing Ling Xiao’s silence, Master Baiyun continued, “Of course, if you decline, I won’t force you, but forget about the recommendation slot.”
This wasn’t an opportunity; it was a move to crush Ling Xiao’s arrogance. Master Baiyun assumed even someone as bold as Ling Xiao wouldn’t be foolish enough to challenge Zuo Leng.
He was wrong again.
Ling Xiao’s nearly two months of cultivation had elevated his strength immensely. He’d been itching to test it, and Zuo Leng was a suitable opponent.
“Thank you, Master. I’ll seize this chance and challenge Zuo Leng,” Ling Xiao said, unfazed.
“You’re sure?” Master Baiyun asked, stunned.
“Absolutely,” Ling Xiao nodded.
“Master, I’m a Ren Clan warrior, and he’s human. In the war, he killed many of our kin, including Ming Tian’s father, my former mentor. I request a duel on Life-and-Death Cliff!” Zuo Leng declared.
Life-and-Death Cliff! The crowd saw Zuo Leng’s ruthlessness—he aimed to kill Ling Xiao under the guise of a match.
“That depends on Ling Xiao’s agreement,” Master Baiyun said, glancing at him.
He didn’t intervene, revealing his indulgence of Zuo Leng and Ming Tian, even tolerating their intent to kill.
Ling Xiao had no choice but to accept. For now, this was his only path to the Twelve Sects, and he wouldn’t abandon it.
“I agree,” Ling Xiao said, gritting his teeth.
The Tianren Academy disciples grinned maliciously. Last time, Ling Xiao faced Li Xinghui on Baiyun Temple’s Life-and-Death Cliff and killed him, but their cultivations were close. Today, Zuo Leng’s ninth-layer strength far outstripped Ling Xiao’s. The outcome seemed clear: Ling Xiao’s death.
The Qianlong Camp disciples were worried.
“Junior Brother, think carefully!” Even Ling Yixue, who always believed in him, was concerned. Ling Xiao meant too much to her.
“Young Master, reconsider,” Leng Mei urged.
Others started to chime in, but Ling Xiao cut them off. “Enough. My mind’s made up. To Life-and-Death Cliff!”
On the cliff, Zuo Leng’s lips curled into a cold smile, his heart sneering.
Ling Xiao had killed many Ren Clan warriors. As a Ren Clan genius, Zuo Leng had long wanted to make him suffer. More importantly, Ling Xiao’s challenge was an insult, a slight on his dignity. He’d make Ling Xiao—and everyone—see that his majesty was inviolable.
They faced each other.
Zuo Leng erupted in dazzling black flames, their eerie pure black hue forming an armor around him. For a moment, it seemed his body wasn’t flesh but an elemental form of flame.
“Amaterasu Black Flame Technique! It’s at Great Perfection, forming Amaterasu Flame Armor!” someone exclaimed.
“This quasi-mortal martial art is formidable among the Ren Clan. At Great Perfection, it’s impervious to blades and immune to fire and water, far surpassing many body-refining techniques!”
“Even same-level defensive beasts can’t match it!”
“With Amaterasu Flame Armor, Ling Xiao’s training is meaningless. This technique is leagues above, nearly a mortal martial art!”
“Ha, Ling Xiao’s courting death. Even without defensive arts, Zuo Leng could crush him with cultivation alone.”
Ling Xiao ignored the Tianren Academy’s chatter, smiling at Zuo Leng. “I didn’t expect Senior Brother Zuo Leng to master such a technique, but I’ve also trained a defensive art. Let’s see which is stronger.”
True essence flowed, and radiant golden light burst from him. Golden scales covered his body, making him resemble a humanoid golden dragon.
Heavenly Dragon Golden Body, third layer! Heavenly Dragon Scale Armor! And the hidden Heavenly Dragon Tendons within!
The True Spirit Hall erupted.
Many knew of Zuo Leng’s Amaterasu Black Flame Technique, paired with his Susanoo Spirit, making his defense unmatched among Master Baiyun’s disciples, surpassing even Ming Tian.
But no one knew of Ling Xiao’s Heavenly Dragon Golden Body, mistaking it for Nine Turns Golden Body Art due to their similar appearance, though vastly different in quality.
In terms of aura, their defensive arts seemed evenly matched. The true superior would be revealed in combat.
Zuo Leng’s face showed disdain. If Ling Xiao used the offensive technique that injured Ming Tian, he might be wary, but a defensive art? Did Ling Xiao think any defense could rival his Great Perfection Amaterasu Black Flame Technique?
“Interesting. Let’s test your defensive art’s strength,” Zuo Leng sneered, leaning forward.
A sonic boom rang out as he reached blinding speed, leaving black flame afterimages. His speed, likely enhanced by a mortal movement art, nearly matched Ling Xiao’s.
At a zhang’s distance, Zuo Leng’s right palm shot out, crackling with faint thunder, true essence condensed in it, tearing the air with a sharp screech.
Ling Xiao inhaled deeply, stepping forward and lunging, his speed a fraction faster than Zuo Leng’s.
Within the zhang, he met the palm with his left fist, brimming with thunderous true essence.
