Knowing how much Bai Feifei hated him, how could Ling Xiao not take precautions?
Sadly, with her foolish mind, Bai Feifei probably didn’t even consider this, assuming everyone else was an idiot.
“Ling Xiao—!”
“Ling Xiao—!”
As the match ended, the crowd erupted in fervent cheers.
Ling Xiao defeated Bai Feifei.
An early Mortal Realm Sixth Layer warrior beating a half-step Heavenly Venerable!
This sent shockwaves through the Moonflower Sect disciples, instantly making Ling Xiao the most admired figure.
Of course, some quietly cursed him as despicable, accusing him of using underhanded tactics to win.
But such voices were quickly drowned out by the cheers.
With Bai Feifei’s defeat, the selection tournament drew to a close.
After a few more matches, the final forty slots were decided.
Along with the ten seeded participants, fifty people earned the right to enter the Moonflower Pagoda.
Among those Ling Xiao knew, Dai Yuling, Zhao Zhi, Shangguan Lei, Leng Hao, Ming Tian, Bai Feifei, Wu Yang, and Qin Wu all qualified.
Zhao Zhi, in particular, owed his success to Ling Xiao’s covert help, without which he’d have been eliminated.
This deepened his admiration and respect for Ling Xiao.
Among the ten seeded participants, Ling Xiao only knew two: Shen Tianlin and Tantai Lingzi.
Trouble was, his relations with both were far from friendly.
But Ling Xiao merely frowned briefly before dismissing the thought.
He’d already offended Bai Feifei, and these two were weaker than her, so what was there to fear? He’d just be cautious inside the Moonflower Pagoda.
Of course, a slot was just a slot. Though fifty had earned entry, how many would truly benefit inside the pagoda?
Probably no more than ten.
“Over the next three days, the sect will hold the Moon Arrival Festival. You fifty can rest and prepare. On the morning of the fourth day, gather here again. Anyone late will be barred from the Tower Ascension Ceremony!”
Master Chang Yueying’s stern, authoritative voice echoed across the field.
A sect leader needed such presence to command respect.
With that, powerful auras departed one by one.
…
The qualification tournament ended, leaving some jubilant and others in despair.
Those who didn’t qualify were dejected, some even weeping.
They knew the earlier one joined the Tower Ascension Ceremony, the greater the lead over other disciples.
“Brother Ling, I can’t thank you enough. Without you, I’d never have gotten this chance,” Zhao Zhi said, feeling like he was in a dream.
Among the fifty, his cultivation was the lowest.
Many eliminated disciples were stronger than him.
Yet he’d made it.
Beyond his own efforts, Ling Xiao’s help was crucial.
Without him, Zhao Zhi knew he wouldn’t have reached the end.
Befriending Ling Xiao was the wisest choice he’d made since birth.
Though they’d had conflicts when he first joined the sect, as a royal aiming for the throne, he wisely avoided escalating tensions, growing closer to Ling Xiao.
Now, while not bosom friends, they were certainly close.
Without Ling Xiao’s martial guidance and gifted techniques, he wouldn’t be here.
Plus, during the tournament, someone clearly targeted him, and Ling Xiao neutralized it.
This debt of gratitude wasn’t something words could express, he’d remember it forever.
Though he had a master—Heavenly Eye Heavenly Venerable, the Inner Hall Master and his royal uncle—with too many disciples to focus on him, Ling Xiao was more like his true mentor.
Dai Yuling’s thoughts mirrored Zhao Zhi’s.
Ling Xiao’s kindness to her was even greater.
In the outer sect, when her martial soul was forcibly destroyed, Ling Xiao avenged her and granted her a stronger one.
She sighed inwardly, perhaps only offering her life could repay his kindness.
Walking with them was Zhao Ci.
Her heart burned with intense reluctance.
She couldn’t understand why Ling Xiao, a ruthless schemer, kept rising, while she, a kind soul, faced setbacks and nearly died at the hands of someone she’d helped.
She was starting to doubt society.
Her long-held views on life and the world were crumbling.
But the most envious was likely Ming Tian.
Back with Master Bai Yun, he’d outshone Ling Xiao, but now Ling Xiao could defeat Bai Feifei.
Though her foolishness was a factor, Ling Xiao’s cultivation surpassing his was unbearable.
Jealousy blazed in his heart, his eyes turning blood-red.
“Elder Jin, I agree to your request. I’ll follow your plan and do that thing!” Ming Tian said to Elder Jin, gritting his teeth.
“Are you sure? Doing this will strip you of your humanity, maybe even your emotions, turning you into something no different from a beast!” Elder Jin asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Even if I become a beast, I’ll be stronger than him!” Ming Tian nodded firmly.
“Very well, since you’ve decided, come with me!”
…
After parting with Zhao Zhi and Dai Yuling, Ling Xiao visited Yang Danlin to clarify details about the Tower Ascension Ceremony.
“Hahaha, you’re something else, kid, beating even that girl Bai Feifei! But be careful, what happens in the Moonflower Pagoda can’t be seen from outside. Watch out for her scheming against you!” Yang Danlin laughed heartily at first, but his expression soon turned serious.
“Don’t worry, Old Yang. If Bai Feifei behaves and doesn’t provoke me, she’ll be fine. Otherwise, she’ll come out a cripple!” Ling Xiao said coldly.
“Heh, you used some trick on her, didn’t you? No need to elaborate, as long as you’re safe,” Yang Danlin chuckled. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re here about the ceremony details, right?”
“Exactly. What happens during the ceremony? How are results judged?” Ling Xiao asked.
The Moon Arrival Festival happened yearly, so did the Tower Ascension Ceremony.
Having participated three times, Yang Danlin surely knew some secrets.
