“Heh, this guy really has the knack for making everyone hate him, one sentence and he’s offended so many people!”
Ling Yixue had always been keeping an eye on Ling Xiao.
She’d been watching him since he was weak, and she still was now.
“Senior Sister Yixue, you’re still laughing? This guy’s actually daring to use basic martial arts against Ling Ziran, he’s practically asking to die!”
“Not necessarily!”
Ling Yixue smiled, feeling a bit of anticipation.
On the other side, Ling Yihang, whose eyes had been closed, opened them again, muttering to himself in surprise, “Looks like the Genius Hall folks are in for a shock this time, our Elite Hall might just make them lose face.”
“Good! Very good! Ling Xiao, oh Ling Xiao, you reckless fool! Today I’ll show you what real strength is!”
Ling Ziran’s face was dark and menacing, his long sword trembling in his hand, a ruthless glint in his eyes.
He wanted to cripple Ling Xiao!
If it weren’t for the rule against killing in this competition, he’d have stabbed Ling Xiao dead with one thrust.
“Pick a weapon!”
Ling Ziran took a deep breath and said.
“No need!”
Ling Xiao replied as calmly as ever.
“Seeking death—Snake Dance Sword Technique!”
Ling Ziran snorted coldly, his long sword quivering, instantly splitting into several afterimages, like venomous snakes flicking their tongues.
“The Snake Dance Sword Technique, an advanced sword skill, looks like Ling Ziran’s really angry!”
Ling Ziran struck without holding back.
The most terrifying aspect of the Snake Dance Sword Technique was its sinister and unpredictable nature, opponents often couldn’t guess from which angle the sword would strike.
This move didn’t carry the overwhelming force of power-based techniques, but the pressure it exerted was no less intense.
It felt as though countless venomous snakes were staring you down, sending chills down your spine.
However, though Ling Ziran’s swordsmanship was formidable, people were more focused on Ling Xiao.
Because everyone wanted to know if Ling Xiao was all talk and no action.
He said he’d use basic martial arts, but would he really?
After all, there were no rules against it, even if he used intermediate or advanced skills, no one could call him out.
Ling Xiao paid no mind to the crowd’s stares.
Ling Ziran didn’t deserve his higher-level techniques.
Basic martial arts were enough!
“Barbarian Bull Strength!”
Still the same Barbarian Bull Strength!
Amidst a roar, the faint image of a barbarian bull flickered.
Ling Xiao stood there, showing no intention of backing down.
He was actually using basic martial arts!
This guy was insane!
“Purely asking to die!”
“Brother Ziran, don’t hold back, this arrogant fool deserves to be crippled!”
Shock turned to fury.
They’d assumed Ling Xiao was just boasting and wouldn’t dare follow through, which would’ve given them a chance to mock him.
But they hadn’t expected Ling Xiao to be so stubborn.
He meant what he said.
“Damn it! Get off the stage!”
Ling Ziran’s face darkened to an extreme, as if black liquid could ooze from his skin.
True qi exploded!
The afterimages of his sword vanished, coalescing into a giant python instead!
The python roared, its deafening sound forcing the nearby martial artists to step back.
The air was thick with a savage aura.
“Beautiful!”
“Ling Ziran’s strike has basically captured the essence of the Snake Dance Sword Technique, blending unpredictability with raw power.”
“Ling Xiao’s just a third-level Martial Vein fighter, even at full strength he couldn’t block this, let alone using basic martial arts!”
“Ling Xiao’s been impressive, but he’s too full of himself, people like that don’t last long.”
Many pointed and commented, even some high-ranking family martial artists among them, none看好Ling Xiao.
“Buzz!”
A violent rumble sounded as Ling Ziran’s sword struck Ling Xiao.
Yet, the expected scene of Ling Xiao being flung off didn’t happen.
Ling Xiao clapped his hands together, catching the sword between his palms.
The basic skill Barbarian Bull Strength had no fancy moves, it was all about channeling true qi.
So it could be used with fists, feet, or palms.
“Die!”
Ling Ziran roared hysterically, pouring nearly all his true qi into the move, pushing the Snake Dance Sword Technique to its limit.
He was a peak third-level Martial Vein fighter.
Using an advanced skill!
Failing to defeat Ling Xiao in one strike would be a disgrace!
“Break!”
Ling Xiao’s gaze locked onto Ling Ziran’s sword, suddenly flooding his arms with true qi.
With a “crack,” the sword shattered.
It broke into seven or eight pieces!
Ling Ziran, hit by the backlash of his own true qi, spat blood and stumbled back several steps before steadying himself.
Meanwhile, Ling Xiao stood unmoved, not even bothering to pursue.
“Impossible! This can’t be!”
Ling Ziran lost all composure.
He couldn’t believe this outcome.
His full-force strike hadn’t harmed his opponent in the slightest, and instead, the rebound snapped his weapon.
Humiliation!
“What just happened?”
The spectating disciples were dumbfounded.
They’d imagined many scenarios, but this one? Never.
“Someone lend me a weapon, my sword’s rubbish!”
Ling Ziran refused to accept defeat, blaming his failure on the sword.
Well, it wasn’t entirely wrong, but shirking all responsibility was a bit shameless.
“Ling Ziran, catch!”
Surprisingly, Ling Feng was the first to speak, tossing his own sword to Ling Ziran.
His sword was a treasure, far superior to ordinary blades.
Most couldn’t fathom why he’d help Ling Ziran.
Only Ling Feng knew—he was wary of Ling Xiao and wanted Ling Ziran to probe Ling Xiao’s limits.
“Thanks!”
Ling Ziran grabbed the treasure sword and looked at Ling Xiao, “This time, you’re done!”
“Snake Dance Sword Technique: Giant Python Devour!”
The same technique!
The same move!
Ling Ziran clearly intended to use the treasure sword and his skill to crush Ling Xiao completely.
Honestly, the sword in Ling Ziran’s hands was indeed impressive.
It did pose some trouble for Ling Xiao.
But since he’d let Ling Ziran take the sword, he wasn’t afraid.
“Barbarian Bull Strength!”
Let your wild winds rage, I stand firm as a mountain!
No matter how frenzied or furious Ling Ziran became!
Ling Xiao’s expression never wavered, always that calm demeanor.
As if, in his eyes, Ling Ziran was beneath notice.
“Bang bang bang!”
In their continuous clash, Ling Xiao never used anything beyond Barbarian Bull Strength to fight Ling Ziran.
He was doing this to hone his combat experience.
A sparring partner like Ling Ziran was rare—how could he not make the most of it?
