According to Ling Xiao’s estimation, the Tiangang Sword Array’s power was at least comparable to a Gold-Grade Pinnacle martial art. More crucially, the sword array had special effects, capable of drawing on the forces of heaven and earth, making it even more remarkable.
The special effect of the Tiangang Sword Array was to harness the power of heavenly thunder. As for the exact effect, Ling Xiao hadn’t tested it yet, so he couldn’t say for sure.
As the sun rose, Ling Xiao stretched his stiff body and stepped out of the stone house.
Wu Xiang returned, dragging his exhausted body. It was unclear where he’d been all night, but he looked utterly worn out.
“Senior Brother, what kind of work do you do? Why is it so gruelling?” Ling Xiao asked, noticing the calluses on Wu Xiang’s hands. They didn’t seem to come from training but rather from hard manual labour.
Wu Xiang shook his head with a bitter smile, either unable or too tired to speak.
Ling Xiao helped him inside and had just settled him on the bed when the wooden door was suddenly kicked open.
Wu Xiang jolted upright in fright.
Ling Xiao, too, looked towards the door in surprise.
If you’re here to cause trouble, fine, but why take it out on the door? It’s public property—aren’t you afraid of being fined?
Standing at the door was, unsurprisingly, Tian.
Behind Tian were three others, though their cultivation was modest—only mid-Ninth Layer Martial Vein.
It was almost embarrassing to think that, in the past, mid-Ninth Layer Martial Vein was considered a formidable force. Here, it seemed insignificant.
“Ling Xiao, we’ve discovered that Leng Mei didn’t return last night. We suspect she’s betrayed the sect. You need to give an explanation!” Tian’s voice carried an unquestionable authority, as if his words were an imperial decree, not to be defied.
Wu Xiang’s heart sank. Tian was clearly using a flimsy pretext to pin a baseless charge on Ling Xiao.
Yet, this was indeed a valid excuse. Even if investigated later, it would hold up.
After all, Tian was a member of the outer sect’s enforcement team.
Though a minor figure, his actions were technically legitimate.
If Ling Xiao resisted, he’d likely be forcibly dealt with.
That was probably Tian’s plan in coming here.
“Heh, quite the show today. I just got back, and there’s already drama. Interesting,” said Fourth Prince Zhao Yu, who, along with Second Prince Zhao Ting, Third Prince Zhao Zhi, Princess Zhao Ci, and Xu Ying, had just returned.
Seeing the scene, Zhao Yu clapped his hands in delight.
He loved a spectacle.
Wu Xiang wanted to step in as a peacemaker, but Ling Xiao stopped him. “Senior Brother Wu, rest. It’s just three or four small fry. I’ll handle them in a moment. No need for you to get involved.”
With Ling Xiao’s words, Wu Xiang swallowed what he was about to say.
But he certainly couldn’t go back to sleep.
The door had been smashed—how could he?
“Big words!” Tian sneered. If possible, he’d prefer not to act himself. Bullying the weak as a stronger opponent didn’t sound good, and he’d been reprimanded by Elder Bai several times for it.
“You three, tie him up!” he ordered.
“Yes!”
The three behind him stepped forward, moving with sharp techniques to subdue Ling Xiao.
But Ling Xiao merely took a step forward, and suddenly, a terrifying black light radiated from him, accompanied by a chilling, eerie wind.
This was the effect of [Ghost King Annihilation].
To deal with three small fry, he didn’t need Gold-Grade martial arts. He’d test the effect of [Ghost King Annihilation] instead.
Having just mastered the fifth move, “Ghost King Annihilation,” he was eager to try it on someone stronger.
At that moment, the three mid-Ninth Layer Martial Vein martial artists froze, sweat beading on their foreheads, their faces showing fear.
“Ghost King Annihilation!”
Ling Xiao roared, unleashing his fists. Instantly, ghostly wails and howling winds filled the air.
The watching outer sect disciples backed away, as terrifying images formed in their minds. It was too dreadful.
And this was merely the residual aura spilling out.
Boom!
A sound like an explosion rang out.
The three mid-Ninth Layer Martial Vein martial artists were blasted out of the stone house.
Not only were they gravely injured, but even as they lay on the ground, their bodies continued to tremble, haunted by the horrifying visions in their minds.
“Useless! Utterly useless!” Tian shouted, though sweat glistened on his forehead. He couldn’t fathom why a mere peak Eighth Layer Martial Vein martial artist like Ling Xiao could exert such immense pressure on him, a late-Ninth Layer Martial Vein martial artist.
Why did he feel an urge to flee?
No, no—this couldn’t stand. He had to attack, or the fear would only grow!
“Mixed Origin Palm!”
This was a Gold-Grade martial art once used by Master Bai Yun, known in the secular world as a Mortal martial art. In truth, it was just a Gold-Grade Entry-level technique.
Even so, its power was undeniable.
For most newcomers to the Moonlight Sect, such a move would inspire caution.
A pure orb of energy formed in Tian’s right hand, radiating clear destructive force.
Ghost King Annihilation!
Ling Xiao used Ghost King Annihilation again.
The move wasn’t fully refined yet, with slight imperfections, so he intended to practice it repeatedly until he mastered it completely.
His fists shot out, black eerie winds coiling around them, transforming into ghostly faces that lunged at Tian.
Bang!
The Mixed Origin Palm and Ghost King Annihilation collided mid-air, their forces producing a strange explosive effect.
Ling Xiao stepped back twice, steadying himself.
Tian also retreated two steps but suddenly clutched his head, screaming in agony.
On the surface, their attacks seemed evenly matched, but the soul-rending torment of Ghost King Annihilation caught Tian off guard.
“Pfft!”
Tian bit through his own tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Finally, he expelled the terrifying soul force from his body.
Ling Xiao was somewhat surprised. Tian was indeed far stronger than the Ninth Layer Martial Vein experts of the secular world. At the very least, Ming Tian, Lin Ze, and Wan Ben couldn’t have managed this.
Ling Xiao was surprised, but Tian was shocked.
This outer sect disciple, ranked fiftieth, hadn’t expected Ling Xiao, with only peak Eighth Layer Martial Vein cultivation, to leave him in such a sorry state.
With the Moonlight Sect’s outer sect numbering over a thousand disciples, being ranked fiftieth was no small feat.
The new and veteran outer sect disciples watching were equally stunned.
This outcome was beyond their expectations.
Xu Ying’s expression darkened.
She’d hoped Tian would teach Ling Xiao a lesson, at least venting her frustration. But now, it seemed Tian was unreliable—Ling Xiao was far stronger than she’d imagined.
“Outer sect’s fiftieth? Nothing special!” Ling Xiao sneered, drawing his Ice Glass Sword.
