As Ling Xiao and Jian Renwang prepared to spar, in the Volcano Palace, Demonic Flame Heavenly Venerable’s three disciples gathered, plotting revenge for their master.
They couldn’t touch Guanghan Heavenly Venerable or Yang Danlin.
So, they pinned all their hatred for Demonic Flame’s injury on Ling Xiao!
When Ling Xiao was in the outer sect, they couldn’t act.
But now, his reckless participation in the inner sect’s joint training was a godsend opportunity.
If they missed it, they’d have to wait until he joined the inner sect—if his talent even allowed that.
Hei Suo and the others still scorned Ling Xiao, believing that despite his current combat prowess, his mediocre talent would widen the gap between them over time.
Demonic Flame Heavenly Venerable originally had only two nominal disciples: Hei Suo and his senior brother, Meng Yuan.
Later, he took on Ming Tian, Xu Ying, and Wang Feng.
Ming Tian and Xu Ying were personally chosen as true disciples.
Yet, in a short time, both died at Ling Xiao’s hands.
Now, Demonic Flame had only three disciples left.
The senior brother, Meng Yuan, though a nominal disciple, had strong talent and was the most powerful, currently at Mortal Realm seventh heaven, among the ten core disciples, albeit low-ranked.
Next was Hei Suo, no slouch himself. Two months ago, he was at Mortal Realm third heaven; now, he’d reached the fourth.
The youngest, Ming Tian, had the greatest talent. Despite being the newest disciple, his cultivation speed was astonishing, reaching peak Mortal Realm second heaven in just over three months.
Beyond them, Demonic Flame had two formidable subordinates: the Molten Lizard brothers guarding the Volcano Palace.
Ninth-level ferocious beasts, capable of human form but retaining lizard traits.
Their strength matched human martial artists at Mortal Realm ninth heaven, surpassing even Demonic Flame’s disciples.
The older was Huo She (Fire Tongue), the younger Huo Yan (Fire Eye).
Immensely powerful but not too bright, and brutally cruel.
Now, they were in the Volcano Palace, partly to protect Demonic Flame, partly to discuss Ling Xiao.
They didn’t know why, but days ago, Demonic Flame suffered a severe injury. What should’ve healed in a month would now take a year.
It also consumed the sect’s sole rare elixir—gone forever.
“I know Ling Xiao. Back in Yunkong City, he was arrogant, full of himself. I’m not surprised he dared join the inner sect training,” Ming Tian said with a cold smile.
As fellow disciples of Master Baiyun, he didn’t fully understand Ling Xiao but knew his personality well.
He’d planned to settle the score from Yunkong City once Ling Xiao joined the inner sect.
But he hadn’t expected Ling Xiao to be so reckless, coming to the inner sect to die as an outer disciple.
“Don’t underestimate him. This kid’s uncanny. We spread rumors that Guanghan Heavenly Venerable killed Xu Ying and Wang Feng, but we know it was him…”
Hei Suo now feared Ling Xiao.
This fear was about Ling Xiao’s future.
His growth was too fast and needed curbing, or one day, Hei Suo would end up like Wang Feng and Xu Ying.
He was desperate to kill Ling Xiao.
In the outer sect, his schemes and ambushes failed, always backfiring.
But now, with Ling Xiao in the joint training, he’d face inner sect tasks, giving them chances to strike.
“Hahaha, Junior Brother, you’re pathetic. Scared stiff by a mere outer disciple, a half-step master?”
As the senior brother and a core disciple, Meng Yuan felt Demonic Flame undervalued him, taking him only as a nominal disciple.
This was his chance to prove he was the best of the three.
“Senior Brother, I’m not scared, just saying he’s tough to handle,” Hei Suo said quickly.
“How’s his martial talent?” Meng Yuan waved dismissively.
“Precious-grade treasure body!”
“Any special traits?” Meng Yuan pressed.
“He’s gifted in alchemy,” Hei Suo said, thinking. “Oh, and his three potentials all reached precious-grade treasure body.”
“That’s it?”
Meng Yuan scoffed at Hei Suo. “Junior Brother, did he scar you in Yunkong City? In the outer sect, I couldn’t interfere, but now he’s courting death by joining the training. I’ll make sure he has no grave, avenging Sister Xu Ying and Brother Wang Feng!”
“And, more importantly, venting Master’s anger!”
“Still, Senior Brother, don’t say I didn’t warn you. This kid can unleash power beyond a half-step master. If he killed Xu Ying and Wang Feng, he’s no weakling. Underestimating him has a price,” Hei Suo cautioned.
Though he agreed Ling Xiao was just an outer disciple to be crushed—especially with his senior brother’s Mortal Realm seventh heaven cultivation and core disciple status—what was this nagging unease?
“Enough! I’ll see what makes this Ling Xiao, who’s got you trembling like a rat, so special!”
Meng Yuan waved and strode out of the Volcano Palace.
“Huo She! Huo Yan! Guard Master. We’ll be back soon,” Hei Suo and Ming Tian followed.
…
Inner sect main hall, slave quarters.
Ling Xiao and Jian Renwang had settled the sparring terms.
But Jian Renwang added a condition.
“For fairness, I suggest we hold this spar on the inner sect’s challenge platform. What do you think, Junior Brother Ling?”
“What a jerk. Not only does he want to humiliate Senior Brother Ling, but he also wants him to lose face before all the inner disciples,” Xiao Yan said through gritted teeth.
“That’s how I lost all dignity last time,” he added.
“Senior Brother Ling, don’t agree,” Lin Feng urged.
“No worries. Challenge platform it is. If I lose, we’re all his slaves anyway. Where we fight doesn’t matter. Besides, this place isn’t suited for a match.”
Ling Xiao was usually kind-hearted. This was the slaves’ quarters; a fight with Jian Renwang could harm innocents, which he wanted to avoid.
