The two fighters on the stage were preparing for their next attack.
The higher the level of combat, the more cautious one had to be. Neither was willing to reveal their trump card too soon.
During this brief pause, the onlookers caught their breath.
The intensity of the earlier exchange had been so gripping that they’d forgotten to breathe.
Yang Cheng’s strength was undeniable, but what was with Ling Xiao’s movement techniques?
That speed!
That eeriness!
It was no less than that of a Half-Step Grandmaster—perhaps even stronger!
And the power of that punch was certainly not inferior to a Half-Step Grandmaster’s!
Was this guy really just a peak Eighth-Layer Martial Vein Martial Master?
Even Lan Yuer, Zhao Zhi, Xu Ying, and Hei Suo showed surprise and disbelief in their eyes.
Could Ling Xiao actually break the Moonlight Sect’s 100,000-year tradition today?
Defeating a Half-Step Grandmaster with a peak Eighth-Layer Martial Vein cultivation!
Just as this thought crossed their minds, before they could catch their breath, the stage erupted with sudden changes.
Yang Cheng struck!
As a Half-Step Grandmaster, being injured by Ling Xiao, a mere peak Eighth-Layer Martial Vein Martial Master, was a blow to his pride and dignity.
Storm Art!
Spring Breeze Rain Step!
Storm Sword Technique!
Gold-Grade Basic Internal Skill!
Gold-Grade Basic Movement Technique!
Gold-Grade Basic Sword Technique!
Yang Cheng held nothing back. Terrifying true essence poured from his body, whipping up a wild gust of wind. His figure vanished abruptly, like raindrops carried by the wind, lunging toward Ling Xiao in an instant.
At that moment, aside from Lan Yuer, Elder Bai, and a few others, no one could track Yang Cheng’s movements.
The situation mirrored when Ling Xiao had attacked Yang Cheng earlier.
It seemed Yang Cheng intended to showcase his superiority in movement techniques, to make Ling Xiao feel fear!
With his internal skill and movement technique working in harmony, their effects were noticeably enhanced.
His movement speed was faster!
His sword technique’s power was greater!
And the storm true essence itself flowed unimpeded—a perfect synergy.
“It’s long been said that Yang Cheng’s most terrifying trait is how his martial arts complement each other. Even at the same level, he’s always stronger than others!”
“Exactly. His arrogance isn’t baseless. To rank among the top ten outer disciples, he naturally has unique advantages!”
The disciples watching below buzzed with discussion.
Indeed, an expert’s move revealed their prowess.
From the scene, Yang Cheng’s movement technique seemed no worse than Ling Xiao’s, and his attacks surpassed them.
Under the terrifying shroud of true essence, Ling Xiao was like a lone boat in a stormy sea, flipped and swallowed by ferocious waves in an instant.
Snow Lotus Sword Art, Third Form—Condensed Water!
The Snow Sword appeared in Ling Xiao’s right hand, and with a single slash, an icy aura blanketed the entire square.
“So cold!”
Many disciples below shivered involuntarily.
This was currently Ling Xiao’s most powerful technique, one he wouldn’t use unless absolutely necessary.
But today, with his cultivation suppressed, he had no choice.
Yang Cheng was too strong—far more than ten times stronger than Li Anle!
His sword gleamed like crystal, radiating a blue glow. With one strike, Yang Cheng’s ferocious momentum stalled.
Yang Cheng’s storm true essence was frozen.
A bizarre scene unfolded on the challenge stage.
Yang Cheng, who had been closing in on Ling Xiao, was now like an ice sculpture frozen in the depths of winter.
Crack!
In an instant, the icy shell shattered, and Yang Cheng broke free, but his attack was halted, forcing him to retreat frantically.
He knew that with his true essence flow disrupted, pressing the attack would do him no good.
Ling Xiao didn’t pursue. The move had consumed much of his true essence, and he was using his Mountain River Martial Soul’s “True Essence Devouring” ability to convert Yang Cheng’s storm true essence into his own, replenishing his reserves.
Against Yang Cheng, he couldn’t afford the slightest carelessness. He had to keep his true essence abundant at all times.
—Flying Snow!
Moments later, Ling Xiao launched his attack.
Still using the Snow Lotus Sword Art, but switching to the first form, “Flying Snow.”
This form was the fastest, most likely to catch opponents off guard.
Behind him, the Blood Shadow Martial Soul had quietly vanished, replaced by the Dark Cloud Martial Soul.
This martial soul, taken from a ninja clan warrior, was perfect for techniques that altered the surrounding natural environment.
It worked with wind, thunder, rain, lightning, or snow.
The Dark Cloud Martial Soul gathered above Ling Xiao’s head, snowflakes falling from the clouds. Combined with his sword light, they surged forward, transforming into a snow dragon.
Crack!
Rip!
Ling Xiao’s sword pierced through the tornado enveloping Yang Cheng, then broke through his protective true essence, leaving a clear sword wound on Yang Cheng’s shoulder.
It was only because Yang Cheng’s movement technique was exceptional and he dodged in time that the strike didn’t claim his life.
A Half-Step Grandmaster was indeed formidable, but this strike from Ling Xiao had the power to kill one!
Staring at the wound on his shoulder, though not severe, Yang Cheng’s confidence took a heavy blow.
This was the third time Ling Xiao had forced him back in their exchange, and the second time he’d been injured!
Yet he hadn’t managed to leave a single mark on Ling Xiao, at most making his face pale.
“Yang Cheng’s been injured again!”
Many onlookers rubbed their eyes in disbelief, fearing they were hallucinating.
How could Ling Xiao repeatedly injure Yang Cheng?
In truth, it wasn’t surprising.
Though Yang Cheng was stronger than the peak Eighth-Layer Martial Vein Ling Xiao, he had been under Ling Xiao’s control from the start.
From Ling Xiao’s initial attack to Yang Cheng’s third retreat, Yang Cheng was entirely led by Ling Xiao.
In such a situation, Yang Cheng had to divert energy to handle sudden changes, unable to fully focus on fighting.
Without giving his all, he was naturally no match for Ling Xiao.
In his soul-entered state, Ling Xiao had complete awareness of the stage.
He could even track Yang Cheng’s true essence and qi-blood flow.
He knew Yang Cheng’s mind was in disarray, his true essence flow chaotic.
So, he struck again without hesitation.
Fourth Form—Ice Heart!
First Form—Flying Snow!
With the fourth form’s support and the Dark Cloud Martial Soul’s amplification, the light from Ling Xiao’s Snow Sword surged, and snowflakes enveloped the entire challenge stage.
That sword strike was as soft as falling snow yet as swift as lightning.
But when its power was unleashed, it was terrifying.
At this moment, Ling Xiao’s attack and speed had clearly reached a new peak.
