The Thunder Shadow Sword in Ling Xiao’s hand could double the power of thunder-attribute true essence and increase the speed of sword techniques by twenty percent.
It came with a special skill, “Thunder Blast,” which could instantly unleash an explosive thunder strike, easily breaking through the defences of a seventh-level Mortal Realm martial artist, posing a significant threat to all Mortal Realm fighters.
Though Ming Tian was indeed a genius and in a half-beast state, he was still only a seventh-level Mortal Realm martial artist.
Facing the swift attack of Thunder Blast, he had no chance to dodge.
More crucially, Ling Xiao’s true essence had fully converted to the thunder attribute, and with the Thunder Shadow Sword doubling its power, the attack’s strength was unimaginable.
What!
Ming Tian thought his sneak attack had succeeded, but as he felt the terrifying force bearing down on him, his expression changed drastically.
By the time he tried to pull out the cubic crystal for defence, it was already too late.
“Senior Brother Shen, help me!”
Knowing he couldn’t block Ling Xiao’s attack, Ming Tian shouted desperately at Shen Tianlin.
But at that moment, Shen Tianlin was being held back by Leng Hao and Dai Yuling working together.
Though neither was a match for Shen Tianlin, delaying him for a moment was no issue.
“Just accept your elimination, you brought this on yourself!”
Boom!
A thunderous explosion rang out.
Ming Tian’s body was pierced through mid-air, charred outside and tender inside, a gruesome sight.
“Ling Xiao, I’ll remember this! I’ll remember today’s grudge! Just you wait!”
“Remaining participants: twelve!”
“Now it’s your turn, Shen Tianlin!”
Ling Xiao turned to face Shen Tianlin.
He wouldn’t give Shen Tianlin a chance to keep opposing him. This guy needed to be eliminated now!
“You two, stand down!”
Leng Hao and Dai Yuling were no match for Shen Tianlin, both injured and not lightly.
Without even looking, Ling Xiao tossed the gourd he had obtained earlier to Leng Hao. The pills inside could heal wounds.
Combined with Dai Yuling’s innate healing true essence, there was no need to worry.
Next, he would focus on dealing with Shen Tianlin.
…
Moments earlier, outside the Moonlight Treasure Pagoda.
More and more people gathered around.
The expressions of the sect’s higher-ups were grim.
Only one day had passed, yet only thirteen participants remained.
Ling Xiao had become the subject of everyone’s discussion.
The three who had been eliminated earlier all claimed they were taken out by Ling Xiao.
Though their greed was the root cause, this wasn’t good news for the sect.
The whole point of increasing the number of participants was to give more people a chance at opportunities. Ling Xiao alone had eliminated eight disciples, which was far from ideal.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, another person was thrown out.
“No way, another elimination?”
Elder Jin looked closely and was instantly furious.
“Ming Tian!”
He never imagined that the one eliminated this time would be Ming Tian, on whom he had placed such high hopes!
The inner disciples watching were equally shocked.
“Ming Tian and Leng Hao are considered the top two geniuses of the inner sect. Though their cultivation isn’t the highest, their intelligence and adaptability are top-notch. How could he be eliminated so easily?”
“Yeah, Leng Hao’s strength is even lower than Ming Tian’s, yet he’s still in there while Ming Tian’s out.”
“He must’ve been ambushed.”
“Could it be that Ling Xiao again?”
“No way, would Ling Xiao dare touch Ming Tian? Wouldn’t Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign tear him apart?”
“Idiot, Ling Xiao already killed Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign’s disciples Wang Feng and Xu Ying before. This is nothing, it’s just elimination, not real death.”
Not just Elder Jin, the other higher-ups exchanged bewildered glances, unable to comprehend.
“Ming Tian, what happened? Who ambushed you? Speak, and I’ll ensure justice!” Elder Jin roared angrily.
“It was Ling Xiao! That guy’s been greedy since entering the Moonlight Treasure Pagoda, hogging all the treasures. I was just standing up for Senior Brother Shen when he ambushed me, piercing my body with a single sword strike.”
Ming Tian was truly seething with rage.
Such a prime trial opportunity had slipped through his fingers so easily. He gained nothing and was eliminated.
“That bastard Ling Xiao is out of line! They’re fellow sect brothers, yet he not only hoards treasures but is so ruthless. What’s he trying to do? Ruin this Pagoda Ascension Ceremony?”
Elder Jin was livid, slamming his palm on the ground, causing the earth to tremble.
If not for the many arrays set up by the Moonlight Sect, the ground might have collapsed.
His anger was understandable. Each disciple only had three chances to participate in the Pagoda Ascension Ceremony, whether they succeeded or failed.
And each attempt was harder than the last.
With Ming Tian’s outstanding talent, missing this chance meant falling behind others. Even re-entering the Moonlight Treasure Pagoda next year wouldn’t make up for it.
This Ling Xiao, this wretched fool, was so brazen!
“Hmph, you talk so righteously, but weren’t you just trying to steal someone else’s treasures? You deserved elimination.”
Golden Light Heavenly Sovereign sneered, chuckling happily.
He was glad he’d told Leng Hao to stick with Ling Xiao before the ceremony.
Though Leng Hao seemed highly talented and Ling Xiao’s potential appeared inferior, Golden Light Heavenly Sovereign wasn’t foolish. Talent could be transformed through effort.
Especially with the existence of martial souls, the potential for change was even greater.
Ling Xiao’s cultivation speed had already surpassed all the sect’s geniuses.
Underestimating him was pure stupidity.
“No matter what, Ling Xiao has eliminated nine sect disciples in a row. This behaviour absolutely cannot be tolerated. Sect Leader, you must uphold justice! You can’t let him run rampant just because the Moon Lady favours him!” Elder Jin roared furiously.
Chang Yueying frowned. Though Elder Jin’s words were biased, the fact that Ling Xiao had eliminated nine sect disciples was undeniable.
Such actions were extremely detrimental to the Moonlight Sect’s development.
“This Ling Xiao has been acting strangely since joining the sect. He must be thoroughly investigated!” Elder Wood, Elder Water, Elder Fire, and Elder Earth from the Law Enforcement Hall echoed Elder Jin’s words.
With the five Supreme Elders and the Law Enforcement Hall’s elders speaking up, Chang Yueying was under immense pressure.
“Fine, after the Pagoda Ascension Ceremony, Ling Xiao will be handed over to the Law Enforcement Hall for handling. Are you satisfied now?”
Under immense pressure, Chang Yueying made a compromise.
After all, Ling Xiao wasn’t her disciple, so there was no need to confront the five elders over him.
“No! Everyone knows Elder Jin holds absolute sway in the Law Enforcement Hall. That’s unfair!” Guanghan Heavenly Sovereign objected.
“I also think it’s inappropriate,” Heavenly Eye Heavenly Sovereign nodded.
Spotless Heavenly Sovereign, Guanghan Heavenly Sovereign, and Yang Danlin all voiced their dissent as well.
