For the next quarter-hour, Hall Master Yang, Lan Yuer, and Dai Yuling took turns bombarding Ling Xiao with questions, randomly picking from the books, sometimes even asking him to recite passages verbatim.
The result? Ling Xiao answered fluently, even pointing out errors in the texts, leaving the trio dumbfounded.
Dai Yuling gave a wry smile.
Lan Yuer’s pride was utterly crushed by Ling Xiao.
His monstrous talent was beyond their reach.
Even Hall Master Yang said with a bitter laugh, “Truly, each generation brings new talents, each surpassing the last. This old wave is about to be crashed onto the shore by you, the new wave.”
Though he said this, he couldn’t hide his joy.
His cultivation had stalled not from inability, but from pouring his energy into training disciples.
He needed an heir for his medical knowledge.
Until now, he’d failed.
Lan Yuer was a true genius, but her noble status and equally skilled master meant she couldn’t be his heir.
Yet heaven hadn’t blinded him, it sent Ling Xiao, the greatest gift.
He’d initially valued Ling Xiao for his comprehension shown in the God-Sealing Catalogue trial.
But now, he realized he’d underestimated the boy, his talent was far more terrifying than imagined.
“Senior Sister Lan, you won’t block my challenge now, will you?”
Ling Xiao asked Lan Yuer.
She sighed, “I don’t know why you insist on challenging now. Waiting to grow stronger wouldn’t hurt, you can’t win yet.”
“Little Blue, let him be. A bit of hardship will do him good, or his ego will soar to the heavens,” Hall Master Yang chuckled.
“Thanks, Senior! Thanks, Senior Sister! I’m off!”
Ling Xiao said excitedly.
“Wait.”
Lan Yuer called out.
“What, Senior Sister, you’re not reneging, are you?”
Ling Xiao’s face soured, he disliked fickle people.
“Relax, I just want to come watch,” Lan Yuer smiled, “To see you get thrashed.”
“You’re not exactly old yourself,” Ling Xiao muttered, “Only two years older, acting all mature.”
“What was that?”
Lan Yuer’s eyes widened.
“Nothing, heh, nothing,” Ling Xiao backpedaled, not daring to offend her, a Mortal Realm Ninth Layer expert who could toy with him.
“Master, I want to watch too,” Dai Yuling said.
“No, Ling Xiao reached this level in under two days, you’ve studied longer. Stay, study the books I gave you, I’ll test you later,” Lan Yuer was uncompromising.
“Fine,” Dai Yuling relented, though she wanted to cheer for Ling Xiao, she now thought more about effort.
She couldn’t surpass Ling Xiao or Lan Yuer, but she could aim for Hall Master Yang’s level.
She had to work hard.
Thus, under Lan Yuer’s supervision, Ling Xiao left the medicine hall for the outer sect plaza.
He was set for his first official challenge since joining Moonlight Sect.
Unlike private spars, this challenge was sanctioned by the outer sect hall, a major event known to all outer disciples.
Winning would rank him in the outer sect’s top thirty, granting quasi-inner disciple privileges.
Losing might leave him humiliated.
On the way, Ling Xiao was consumed with thoughts of the challenge, barely glancing at the beauty beside him.
Lan Yuer felt a twinge of disappointment.
Her master was Moonlight Sect’s Grand Elder, so revered even the sect leader dared not offend her.
Her martial talent was among the sect’s best.
Her medical talent was unmatched, bar none.
Her beauty was top-tier in the sect.
Because of this, she lacked true friends, those flocking to her only sought to curry favor.
So, though she craved friendship, she cloaked herself as an unapproachable iceberg.
Yet Ling Xiao’s arrival was melting that ice.
She realized there was someone more exceptional than her, and a man.
Unconvinced yet astonished, she admitted, regardless of his martial talent, his medical prowess was unrivaled.
This genius youth, devoid of arrogance, got along well with Dai Yuling and even Wu Xiang, a bottom-tier outer disciple.
Her view of Ling Xiao was shifting.
Not to recruit him, but genuine admiration and surprise.
Ling Xiao didn’t know her thoughts, nor did he care, he disliked chasing those who snubbed him.
If others were cold, he wouldn’t cling.
If they were warm, he’d reciprocate with goodwill.
Wu Xiang and Hall Master Yang were such cases.
Lan Yuer needed more observation, but her attitude was decent now, less haughty than two days ago.
The outer sect plaza was already packed.
It was a public challenge, the outer sect hall had specially allowed disciples to take leave to watch.
Ordinary challenges wouldn’t warrant this.
But someone challenging quasi-inner disciples, two at once, was worth seeing.
It was for learning, not just spectacle.
Many secretly hoped Ling Xiao would win, breaking the top thirty’s status quo.
But when he appeared with Lan Yuer, their thoughts turned.
Envy, jealousy, hatred.
“How’d this Ling Xiao hook up with Senior Sister Lan Yuer, that’s insane!”
“Senior Sister Lan Yuer’s my goddess, how dare he taint her! I hope Brother Li and Brother Yang teach him a lesson, make him a fool!”
Not just outer disciples, even inner disciples like Hei Suo, watching the challenge, were stunned.
Hei Suo, though not overly fixated on women, coveted Lan Yuer’s beauty and ability.
But at Mortal Third Layer, he had no standing to pursue her.
Lan Yuer was usually noble and aloof, distant to all but elder martial artists, her smile rarely seen.
In Hei Suo’s mind, only he could conquer her.
Today, his dream shattered.
