“Ling Tieshou is here!”
“He and Ling Feng are the two disciples who’ve risen the fastest in the Elite Hall rankings this time!”
“Ranked fourth, tsk tsk. He’s probably going to shine at this year’s annual competition. I wonder if he’ll be a match for Ling Yinang.”
“First is Ling Yinang, second is Ling Yixue, third is Ling Feng, and fourth is Ling Tieshou! All four are here. It seems no one wants to miss Ling老爷子 coming out of seclusion!”
“Of course! If they can catch Ling老爷子’s eye and be taken as a personal disciple, their future will be limitless.”
Following the crowd’s gazes, Ling Xiao spotted a young man with a smiling face and a refined demeanor.
He looked humble, but his eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit and arrogance.
Huh? Isn’t that Ling Chong?
Could this Ling Tieshou be Ling Chong’s cousin?
Ling Xiao knew Ling Chong had a formidable cousin, but he’d never seen him.
Seeing Ling Chong trailing behind Ling Tieshou like a lackey, though, it’d be pretty dumb not to figure out who this was.
Ling Xiao saw Ling Chong.
Ling Chong saw Ling Xiao too.
“Ling Xiao! I can’t believe you still dare show your face!”
The moment Ling Chong laid eyes on Ling Xiao, his rage erupted, and he roared at him.
His shout drew the attention of many onlookers.
“What a joke. I’m a Ling family disciple. Why wouldn’t I dare show up when Ling老爷子 comes out of seclusion?” Ling Xiao said disdainfully.
“Cousin, this is the bastard who used dirty tricks to injure me!”
Ling Chong wanted to charge over, but recalling his two prior defeats at Ling Xiao’s hands, he lost his nerve. He quickly turned to Ling Tieshou beside him.
“Heh, so you’re Junior Brother Ling Xiao!”
Ling Tieshou flashed a scornful smile and stepped toward Ling Xiao.
“Senior Brother Tieshou!”
Ling Xiao cupped his hands in greeting.
“Heh heh, Ling Xiao’s been making a lot of noise lately, but facing Ling Tieshou, he’s as meek as a grandson.”
“Exactly. He took shortcuts in the Fulong Mountains, embarrassing our Ling family. No good reputation came of it—just infamy.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. Are the Li family’s words that trustworthy?”
“It’s not about trusting the Li family. Logically, with Ling Xiao’s strength, there’s no way he did it without taking shortcuts.”
“That’s true!”
“Ling Xiao’s in for it today. Even if he kneels and apologizes, Ling Tieshou probably won’t let him off easy after how badly he beat Ling Chong.”
…
The crowd buzzed with chatter.
Most didn’t think much of Ling Xiao.
It boiled down to them looking down on his strength.
Even the top ten disciples of the Elite Hall took notice of the situation.
Ling Tieshou wasn’t Ling Chong. Ranked fourth in the Elite Hall, the idea of Ling Xiao beating him was unthinkable.
No one would believe it.
Most were eager to see him humiliated.
Some just stood by, ready to watch the show.
Ling Yinang, ranked first, seemed indifferent to the brewing fight, sitting with his eyes closed in meditation.
Ling Yixue clearly showed some concern for Ling Xiao.
Ling Feng, ranked third, wore a gloating expression.
He knew Ling Tieshou too well—even he couldn’t guarantee a win against him.
As for Ling Xiao? No chance.
Ling Yu, standing beside Ling Feng, clapped her hands and laughed. “Hee hee, this Ling Xiao broke through to Martial Vein Second Layer by scavenging and got all cocky. Finally, someone’s here to teach this little beggar a lesson.”
She was probably the last person who wanted Ling Xiao to rise.
Not only would it shame her, but thinking back to how she’d bullied him, she feared his revenge.
“Heh heh, Ling Xiao, aren’t you supposed to be tough? Why so docile today? Scared?”
Ling Chong sneered. “Too bad, too bad. With my cousin here, your days of arrogance are over.”
“Junior Brother, they say enemies should resolve, not escalate. How about you kneel and apologize, and we’ll call it even?”
Ling Tieshou approached Ling Xiao, and a sudden surge of aura burst forth, forcing several onlookers nearby to step back, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
Kneel? Apologize?
Everyone could tell Ling Tieshou was applying pressure.
Making someone kneel and apologize was the height of humiliation.
How would Ling Xiao respond?
Would he obey Ling Tieshou?
Or brace for a beating?
“Senior Brother, you’re right—enemies should resolve, not escalate. If Ling Chong kneels and apologizes to me, I’ll let today’s matter slide.”
Ling Xiao smirked leisurely, and suddenly his own aura surged. The true qi of Martial Vein Third Layer coursed through him, transforming him in an instant.
“Ling Xiao’s courting death! Huh? Wait, how did he break through to Martial Vein Third Layer?!”
Ling Feng was about to mock Ling Xiao’s recklessness when he felt that powerful aura, and his face paled.
Ling Yu, beside him, even started trembling.
Too fast! Too terrifying!
How did he cultivate like that?!
“Heh, no wonder he’s so bold—he’s broken through. But doesn’t this kid get it? Even at Martial Vein Third Layer, there’s a huge gap between people.”
Ling Feng, seemingly annoyed, found an excuse to console himself.
“Senior Brother Ling Feng’s right. Combat experience, true qi accumulation, and the level of martial arts all matter! Don’t forget, Ling Tieshou’s trained in advanced martial arts!”
“Almost fooled me there. Looks like Ling Xiao’s just a paper tiger.”
“Hear that, Ling Xiao? You’re no match for me. Today, with Ling老爷子 coming out of seclusion, I don’t want to embarrass you too much. Admit your mistake and apologize, and maybe we can even be friends later!”
Ling Tieshou was briefly surprised by Ling Xiao’s strength, but he quickly regained his composure.
He’d reached the peak of Martial Vein Third Layer long ago and had trained the advanced martial art *Giant Spirit Palm* for two years.
Dealing with a fresh breakthrough like Ling Xiao would be easy.
“Enough nonsense. Stop pretending to be all righteous—I can’t stand hypocrites like you. If you want to avenge your cousin, just come at me. Who ends up humiliated isn’t set yet.”
Ever since meeting Li Xingyun, Ling Xiao’s disdain for hypocrites had deepened.
They acted upright and just on the surface, but inside, they were full of malice.
Ling Tieshou’s face darkened.
“Good! Very good! Since you dare talk like that, you must be ready to face my thunderous wrath, right?”
“You talk too much!”
Ling Xiao rubbed his ears. “Ling老爷子’s about to come out of seclusion. I don’t have time to waste with you. Want revenge? Hurry up and make your move!”
“Hahaha, interesting! Very interesting! Even in the Elite Hall, no one dares speak to me like that!”
Ling Tieshou’s laughter carried a hint of menace.
“Ten moves! Within ten moves, I’ll make you kneel and apologize right here!”
“I’m afraid you don’t have what it takes.”
Ling Xiao said calmly.
“We’ll see about that!”
