“Senior Sister Lan, I’m entrusting Sister Yuling to your care. As her master, you can’t let her get hurt again, or I might just have her take Senior Yang as her master instead.”
Ling Xiao made a half-serious, half-joking remark.
“You can rest assured. From today onwards, unless I, Lan Yuer, am dead, I will never let my disciple suffer any harm under my watch.”
Lan Yuer said firmly.
“Alright, I’m off.”
“Where are you going?”
“The Tower of Desperation!”
Ling Xiao’s figure had already vanished into the distance, leaving only the words “Tower of Desperation” echoing in the medical room.
Inside the Tower of Desperation, the air was thick with murderous intent.
Countless warriors had perished here, and even approaching it sent chills through one’s body.
Without a resolute will, no one could linger near the Tower of Desperation.
“Halt! The Tower of Desperation is a place of death. Unauthorised entry is forbidden!”
At the base of the tower, Ling Xiao was stopped by a Mortal Realm First Layer warrior, likely an inner disciple tasked with guarding the tower.
“I’m here to issue a death challenge!”
Ling Xiao’s voice was as cold as the depths of the Nine Nether Hell.
“Another one who doesn’t fear death. You’re only at the peak of Martial Vein Eighth Layer. I advise you not to act rashly. Once you enter the Tower of Desperation, life and death are no longer in your hands, and the sect won’t intervene.”
The guard tried to dissuade him.
“I’ve made up my mind.”
Ling Xiao’s resolve was unwavering.
“Hmph, if you’re not afraid of death, then write down the names of those you wish to challenge. We’ll issue a notice to the entire Moonlight Sect. If they accept, the challenge will take place at the earliest, one day from now. Any objections?”
“None!”
“Then write the names.”
The guard led Ling Xiao to the declaration office of the Tower of Desperation.
The place clearly hadn’t seen visitors in a long time. It was dilapidated, with visible spider webs in some corners.
After all, a death challenge was rare. Unless one was determined to kill their opponent, few would come here.
Once a death challenge was issued, there was no turning back. If the opponent accepted, the challenger had to fight.
Of course, one could choose to flee.
No one would stop you, but you’d likely never be able to face the Moonlight Sect again.
Ling Xiao took a deep breath and wrote down three names with his pen—
Outer Sect Rank 6—Gongyang Nu.
Outer Sect Rank 5—Tuoba Shan.
Outer Sect Rank 3—Jin Ming!
His handwriting was sharp as a blade, as if it could slay the three on the spot.
What?
The Mortal Realm guard was stunned, then snapped, “Are you deliberately causing trouble at the Tower of Desperation? As far as I know, the top thirty outer sect disciples are all Half-Step Masters, and you, a mere peak Martial Vein Eighth Layer martial artist, are challenging three at once?”
At this point, many nearby sect disciples noticed the commotion and watched from a distance.
Among them were Zhao Zhi and Zhao Ci.
A martial artist’s vision was formidable, able to read fine print from a kilometre away, let alone Ling Xiao’s large, bold characters.
“This guy’s insane!”
Zhao Ci muttered.
Zhao Zhi looked surprised but didn’t comment.
From their recent interactions, he knew Ling Xiao wasn’t the reckless type.
Moreover, Ling Xiao’s face was calm and composed, showing no signs of impulsiveness.
This meant he had come here with a clear plan, not on a whim.
The last time, Ling Xiao challenged Li Anle and Yang Cheng, taking on two at once, which had shocked the entire outer sect and even surprised many inner disciples.
But that was just a sparring match—no one would die.
This time, however, it was a death challenge, and he was challenging three people at once.
These three were ten times stronger than his previous opponents!
Yet Ling Xiao’s strength didn’t seem to have improved at all.
Once word of this spread, the entire sect would be shaken, and many inner disciples would likely come to watch.
“I’m not joking, nor am I mocking you, Senior Brother. Does my challenge break any rules?”
Ling Xiao asked calmly.
“No, it doesn’t.”
“If it doesn’t, why can’t I proceed?”
Ling Xiao countered.
“Are you sure you want to issue this challenge? Absolutely certain? I’m warning you, once the challenge is announced, no one can retract it—not even the sect leader.”
The guard asked Ling Xiao again, very seriously.
“Certain!”
Ling Xiao’s voice grew even calmer.
Initially, his plan for a death challenge had been somewhat impulsive, driven by anger coursing through his body.
But on the way here, he had thought it through carefully.
Jin Ming, Tuoba Shan, and Gongyang Nu had to die!
This was to establish his authority!
And to kill the chicken to warn the monkey!
Even if he entered the inner sect later, people would think twice before crossing him, knowing he was someone who wouldn’t hesitate to issue a death challenge.
As for whether the three would accept?
The answer was obvious.
They would absolutely agree.
Those three were undoubtedly lackeys of Heisuo and Demon Flame Heavenly Lord. Unable to deal with Ling Xiao directly, they had targeted Dai Yuling.
In essence, they wanted to provoke Ling Xiao into doing something irrational.
Now that he was giving those three dogs what they wanted, would they refuse?
Of course not. They’d accept immediately, already plotting how to tear Ling Xiao to shreds.
“Fine, since you’re set on this, I’ll grant your wish. Don’t come haunting me if you die.”
The Mortal Realm guard sighed and issued the death challenge notice.
The notice was sent to the entire sect.
Jin Ming, Tuoba Shan, and Gongyang Nu received the message instantly and responded—
Challenge accepted!
“Alright, when do you want to hold the death challenge?”
The guard asked.
Though just a guard, as a Mortal Realm martial artist, he could oversee an outer disciple’s death challenge without needing to report to the Tower of Desperation’s overseer, an inner sect elder-level powerhouse.
“One day from now!”
Ling Xiao replied.
“Good! You can go prepare. Eat something nice. Sigh, impulsiveness is a devil.”
The Mortal Realm guard sighed, unable to muster any confidence in this outer sect disciple. The kid’s cultivation was just too weak, making it hard to believe in him.
“Wait, I want to issue a death challenge too!”
Suddenly, a voice interrupted.
“Yang Cheng!”
Ling Xiao frowned.
Yang Cheng gave off a strange vibe. Clad in a black robe that covered him entirely, only his eyes were visible.
If it were just his odd appearance, that would be one thing, but his black robe exuded a dangerous aura.
Demon Flame Heavenly Lord’s methods were indeed formidable. What technique had he used to not only heal Yang Cheng so quickly but also drastically boost his strength?
Ling Xiao couldn’t comprehend it and decided not to dwell on it. His focus now was Yang Cheng’s death challenge.
