Ling Xiao despised being hunted, so whoever pursued him would pay the heaviest price!
Even if he couldn’t kill them due to a gap in strength, he’d ensure they’d never know peace.
Wang She surveyed the scene—dead and wounded littered the ground, with no one left to aid him.
Even his pet had been slain by Ling Xiao.
To kill Ling Xiao now, he’d have to act himself.
The giant python’s shadow swayed, and emerald scales covered his body.
If not mistaken, this was a defensive martial soul technique, using the python’s scales to bolster protection.
Similar to Ling Xiao’s Heavenly Dragon Scale Armor, but likely tougher due to the martial soul’s power.
However, Ling Xiao no longer relied on the Heavenly Dragon Scale Armor.
His Earth Spirit Body’s defense, even in its normal state, surpassed it.
Green mist-like true essence rose from the scales.
Wang She now resembled a giant python, not a man, his eyes fixed on Ling Xiao, as if ready to swallow him whole.
The massive python shadow coiled behind him, its enormous eyes also locked on Ling Xiao.
An eighth-rank Mortal Realm martial artist, though only at the initial stage, had near-perfect fusion of martial soul and spirit, making him far stronger than lesser fighters.
Ling Xiao gazed at Wang She calmly, his face impassive.
True, his opponent was an eighth-rank initial-stage Mortal Realm martial artist.
But Ling Xiao’s Ten Thousand Beasts Soul Spear, seized from the Demon King of Beasts, remained a devastating killing move.
Its terrifying destructive power persisted.
If timed right, Wang She was doomed!
Despite the apparent strength gap, the outcome was set from the battle’s start.
Suddenly, Wang She moved.
His eight-foot snake spear thrust out, splitting into several shadows, like venomous snakes flicking their tongues, lunging at Ling Xiao.
Though Wang She stayed put, the snake shadows shot forward at blinding speed.
In Mortal Realm battles, close combat wasn’t always needed, though ranged attacks were less potent than direct weapon strikes.
The snake shadows targeted Ling Xiao’s vital points, leaving no room to dodge.
Yet Ling Xiao didn’t move. His hands extended, and six qi swords materialized.
The sixth qi sword had been condensed successfully on his way to Sha Family Fort.
After breaking through to sixth-rank Mortal Realm, this had become easier.
“Clang, clang, clang…”
The six qi swords blocked all the snake shadow attacks, producing muffled explosions.
This didn’t seem to surprise Wang She.
As the shadows struck, he swiftly closed in, his snake spear sweeping at Ling Xiao’s legs.
The terrifying martial soul power infused the spear, emitting a hiss like a python’s cry.
“Snake Shadow Spear Technique: Python Swallow!”
The spear seemed to transform into a giant python, its gaping maw biting at Ling Xiao’s legs, the stench of its foul wind palpable.
“Cloud Dragon Divine Steps: Phantom Array!”
Ling Xiao dodged with his movement technique. Wang She pressed forward, his spear unleashing a flurry of attacks, forcing Ling Xiao to stay defensive.
They clashed over twenty times within the iron cedar cage.
Wang She smirked coldly.
He’d gauged Ling Xiao’s cultivation, techniques, and trump cards.
He believed Ling Xiao’s cultivation was, at most, sixth-rank Mortal Realm initial stage.
Ling Xiao’s strength lay in his elusive movement technique.
If so, killing him was no issue!
“Snake Shadow Spear Technique: Shadow in the Cup!”
Abruptly, Wang She changed tactics. His spear flew out like an arrow, aiming for Ling Xiao’s throat.
Ling Xiao prepared to block, but at the last moment, he switched techniques.
“Iron Cedar Martial Soul: Thousand-pound Staff!”
The massive iron cedar martial soul merged into his staff, smashing into the ground.
Instantly, the spear aimed at his neck vanished, and another spear shot up from the ground.
“So this is Shadow in the Cup? A clever spear technique, but useless against me!” Ling Xiao said with a faint smile, standing steady.
“You think you’ve seen through me?”
“You think you can kill me?”
“You think you control everything?”
“Wrong, that’s just your pathetic delusion!” Ling Xiao’s voice echoed in Wang She’s ears, throwing him into disarray.
Ling Xiao’s composure was too unexpected.
Wang She had to reassess his opponent.
“Time to end this. I’ve no time to waste!”
“Thunder and Lightning Phenomena: Flying Snow!”
Unnoticed, the Ice Dragon Sword had appeared in Ling Xiao’s hand. Thunder rumbled, the sword brimming with ferocious power, tearing through the air toward Wang She.
The icy aura made Wang She shudder, his emerald scales thickening.
He knew he couldn’t block this strike, so he focused on defense, hoping to avoid a fatal hit.
Flying Snow was too fast!
Too fast for Wang She to react.
The thunder-wrapped strike slammed into his emerald scales.
“Boom!”
A deafening roar echoed. The impact sent Wang She crashing backward, the ground’s spikes shattering against his scales.
“Hahaha, I’m fine! Hahaha, Ling Xiao, your attack’s nothing!” Wang She, though disheveled, laughed excitedly, seeing his scales intact.
“Crack!”
As he laughed, cracks appeared on his scales, residual electricity arcing across them.
“Hm, seems it’s still a bit short,” Ling Xiao mused.
Before Wang She could react, Ling Xiao struck again.
This time, faster!
“Wind and Rain Phenomena: Flying Snow!”
The wind’s cutting and boosting effects, the rain’s corrosive power—these were why Ling Xiao chose them!
“Shatter!” Ling Xiao commanded softly.
“Crack!”
“Snap!”
Finally, Wang She, just risen, was knocked down again. The cracks on his scales widened, then shattered completely.
Residual sword qi pierced his body.
“Damn it!” Wang She felt a sweetness in his throat, blood seeping from his lips.
He was injured!
He hadn’t been hurt in battles against peers for ages, yet now, facing Ling Xiao, so much weaker, he was wounded?
Though minor, his scales were broken, and he couldn’t reform them soon.
