“You’re issuing a death challenge too? Against whom?”
The Mortal Realm guard sighed, wondering what was going on today. Were these people on fire or pumped with adrenaline? Why were they all rushing to issue death challenges? Their tempers were too much.
“I’m challenging him!”
Yang Cheng pointed at Ling Xiao, saying, “Originally, I applied for an outer sect challenge, but since it’s the same day, changing venues is too much hassle. Let’s just settle it in the Tower of Desperation.”
“Hey, hey, isn’t that taking advantage of him? He’s already challenging three outer sect elites, and you’re jumping in? Why not wait a bit?”
“Senior Brother, do you think I’ll get another chance?” Yang Cheng asked.
“That’s true. After this death challenge, this kid will be dead, and you’d miss your shot.”
The Mortal Realm guard sighed, turning to Ling Xiao, “Will you accept? You don’t have to, you know. No one will mock you or force you.”
“I accept!”
Ling Xiao decided to resolve all these issues in one go to avoid future trouble.
The guard looked at Ling Xiao with a hint of pity.
Young people these days were so impulsive. Thinking back to his own hot-blooded days, he sighed, “If this were a regular challenge, it’d just knock you down a peg, but you’re pushing yourself to a dead end!”
Four death challenges in one day.
One against the former outer sect tenth, now several times stronger.
The other three were the outer sect’s sixth, fifth, and third.
He couldn’t fathom how Ling Xiao could possibly win.
Especially Jin Ming, ranked third, whose physical prowess was unmatched in the outer sect. Even against a Mortal Realm First Layer warrior, he’d likely survive.
Jin Ming had held the third rank for three or four years, his strength so terrifying that even the first and second-ranked prodigies avoided provoking him.
“Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. I’ll be careful.”
Ling Xiao cupped his hands in gratitude.
He knew the guard genuinely cared, but the man didn’t understand his capabilities.
“Alright, go rest and eat something good.”
To the Mortal Realm guard, Ling Xiao’s next steps were no different from walking to the guillotine.
Ling Xiao didn’t explain further, just smiled and turned to leave.
Zhao Zhi wanted to stop him but held back.
He knew Ling Xiao’s personality too well—persuasion was pointless.
Though he didn’t intervene, Zhao Ci rushed forward.
“Ling Xiao, you’re insane! Is suicide fun?”
Zhao Zhi slapped his forehead, realising his sister’s overflowing compassion wasn’t aimed at anyone specific—she pitied everyone.
She was now directing that pity toward Ling Xiao.
“Princess Ci, I’m not done living yet.”
Ling Xiao glanced at Zhao Ci, his figure flickering as he easily slipped past her.
“That maniac!”
Zhao Ci stomped her foot in frustration.
Zhao Zhi gave a bitter smile. Even he thought Ling Xiao was committing suicide.
Shortly after Ling Xiao left, the Tower of Desperation guard announced Yang Cheng’s death challenge against him.
Four death challenges in one day sent ripples through the entire sect.
The outer sect, in particular, was in an uproar.
Unsurprisingly, everyone thought Ling Xiao was courting death.
Even Lan Yuer hadn’t expected the kid to take on four death challenges in a single day.
As a result, Yang Danlin, Yuan Zun, and Lan Yuer stormed into Ling Xiao’s cave abode, berating him for being reckless and throwing his life away.
Ling Xiao didn’t explain, just smiled.
The death challenge notice was already out, and retracting it was impossible unless he fled the Moonlight Sect and lived as a fugitive.
Of course, they kept this from Dai Yuling, or she wouldn’t have been able to recover in peace.
At the same time, in the Puppet Hall, Yang Cheng lay on a strange bed, undergoing modifications.
“Ling Xiao, Ling Xiao, you’ve reduced me to this state. I’ll make sure you die a gruesome death!”
Deep within his body, a top-grade spirit stone spun, his entire form emitting a peculiar milky-white glow.
Today, he had undergone the Puppet Hall’s transformation. His body retained only his brain, the rest replaced with puppet mechanisms.
Now, all his true essence came from a central core, a gift from Demon Flame Heavenly Lord. It was far stronger than the true essence cultivated from a Gold-Grade Basic Inner Skill, nearly comparable to that of a Gold-Grade Rare Inner Skill.
In the outer sect, no one was qualified to learn Gold-Grade Rare martial arts. He was confident his true essence surpassed Ling Xiao’s.
Moreover, after precise enhancements, every move he executed was several times more powerful than before.
He could have challenged the outer sect’s ninth, eighth, or even seventh, but he chose Ling Xiao for revenge.
Meanwhile, in Heisuo’s cave abode, Jin Ming, Tuoba Shan, and Gongyang Nu were present, along with Heisuo and Elder Black.
It seemed Heisuo had agreed to Elder Black’s terms, offering ten times the previous reward.
Otherwise, Elder Black wouldn’t be here.
“Elder Black, I’ll leave Lan Yuer to you. Just keep her from interfering. My master, being a Heavenly Lord, can’t get involved directly,” Heisuo said, raising a toast to Elder Black.
“Leave it to me,” Elder Black downed the wine.
Having taken Heisuo’s payment, he had to act, or Demon Flame Heavenly Lord’s temper would ensure he paid dearly.
“Thank you, Elder Black!”
Heisuo cupped his hands, then turned to Jin Ming and the others.
“Are you confident?”
Jin Ming said calmly, “Senior Brother Heisuo, rest easy. Ling Xiao might not even get past Yang Cheng, so we three may not need to step in.”
“Don’t be careless.”
Heisuo had suffered at Ling Xiao’s hands and loathed him but also took him seriously.
“Since Ling Xiao dared to issue a death challenge against all three of you, how could he not have some substance? Don’t hold back in the fight—kill him with everything you’ve got.”
“Senior Brother Heisuo, you’re giving that kid too much credit. Don’t forget, he’s fighting four battles in a row,” Gongyang Nu laughed. “Even if Yang Cheng, that loser, can’t kill Ling Xiao, he’ll at least drain a ton of his true essence or even injure him badly. Then I’ll finish him off.”
Heisuo considered this and agreed.
Perhaps he was worrying too much.
Even if Ling Xiao was hiding his strength, unless he’d broken through to the Mortal Realm, facing these four would mean certain death.
He didn’t care if Yang Cheng, Gongyang Nu, or Tuoba Shan died, as long as they could wear Ling Xiao down enough.
