“Congratulations, Ling Xiao!”
Ling Yixue was the first to come over and congratulate Ling Xiao.
“Thank you!”
Ling Xiao smiled, though he wasn’t good at expressing himself, his goodwill towards Ling Yixue was genuine.
Soon, the referees announced the rankings for this elimination tournament.
Without a doubt, Ling Xiao, with an undefeated record, secured first place.
First: Ling Xiao
Second: Ling Yihang
Third: Ling Feng
Fourth: Ling Yixue
Fifth: Ling Tieshou
Sixth: Ling Cheng
…
Though Ling Feng was beaten by Ling Xiao and couldn’t continue competing, since it was near the end, he only lost two matches.
But even so, it didn’t matter, because Ling Feng’s injuries were too severe, and with only a week’s rest before the grand finals, there was no way he could participate.
Unless he obtained some miraculous elixir.
As for this first-place finish, it’d be a lie to say he wasn’t happy.
But Ling Xiao wasn’t overly excited.
He knew full well this first place didn’t mean much, taking first in the upcoming grand finals was what truly mattered!
Even so, compared to half a month ago, when he merely dreamed of qualifying for the annual grand tournament, this progress was staggering.
Back then, he wouldn’t have dared imagine being first in the Elite Hall, even making the top thousand was a pipe dream.
Without question, all this stemmed from the awakening of the Mountain River Martial Soul.
The Mountain River Martial Soul currently possessed the special abilities of analysis, simulation, and production.
But he always felt this martial soul wasn’t that simple, it had only reached level three so far, if it leveled up again, would new functions appear?
They definitely would!
Ling Xiao firmly believed the Mountain River Martial Soul’s wonders were something he’d only begun to touch, he was still far, far from fully mastering it.
When the elimination tournament rankings were announced, the disciples in the Genius Hall stands couldn’t help but start discussing.
“Hmph, didn’t they say this batch of Elite Hall disciples was impressive? But from what I see, aside from Ling Yihang and that Ling Xiao, the rest aren’t worth mentioning!”
Ling Zhan said disdainfully.
“Hehe, Ling Zhan, don’t underestimate that Ling Yixue, she’s still got hidden tricks up her sleeve, don’t capsize in the gutter!”
Ling Shuang said with a giggle.
“Hmph, she’s only just touched the edge of gang qi, nothing to worry about.”
Ling Yun snorted coldly, his gaze tinged with disdain, “I thought Ling Yihang was some big shot who could challenge Ling Feifan, but he lost to that Ling Xiao, what a waste!”
“No matter what, that Ling Xiao’s in for it now!”
Ling Zhan suddenly grinned.
“Why do you say that?”
Ling Shuang asked.
“Did you forget? Ling Yun is Ling Feng’s biological younger brother!” Ling Zhan looked at Ling Yun, smiling.
“Feng and Yun! No wonder, I was wondering why your name matched Ling Feng’s so well!” Ling Shuang exclaimed.
“Ling Xiao! Heh, though my useless brother isn’t much, he’s not someone this guy can just injure, I’ll take care of him in the grand finals, hmm, maybe I won’t even need to lift a finger, with his current strength, he can’t beat any of the top ten!”
Ling Yun chuckled lightly, not taking Ling Xiao seriously at all.
“Right now, I’m only thinking about how to beat Ling Feifan.”
As he spoke, Ling Yun glanced at Ling Xiao, a hint of killing intent in his eyes.
The Mountain River Martial Soul was highly sensitive to killing intent, and Ling Xiao whipped his head around to look.
In the stands, a group of Genius Hall disciples stared at him with various expressions.
Some mocking.
Some gloating.
Some pitying!
And some disdainful!
“Ling Xiao, be careful, that Ling Yun is Ling Feng’s younger brother, ranked second in the Genius Hall, his strength is second only to Ling Feifan!”
Ling Yixue beside him frowned and warned.
“He’s Ling Yun?”
Ling Xiao looked at Ling Yun, clearly feeling the immense pressure he exuded.
“Peak Fourth Layer Martial Vein!”
The Mountain River Martial Soul didn’t provide much info on Ling Yun, but it clearly analyzed his strength.
Ling Yun was lean, likely not a power-type martial artist, he specialised in swords, following the path of a swift blade.
“Oh? He’s not afraid of my sword intent!”
While Ling Xiao analyzed Ling Yun, Ling Yun was watching him too, surprised that Ling Xiao wasn’t intimidated by his sword intent.
Sword intent was a rare and difficult thing to grasp, in the entire Ling Clan, Ling Yun was the only one who’d comprehended it.
Yet Ling Xiao wasn’t fazed, which irked him.
“Ling Xiao, don’t be fooled by Ling Yun’s mere peak Fourth Layer Martial Vein cultivation, with his sword intent, he can easily defeat ordinary Fifth Layer Martial Vein experts, you’re not the only one who can fight above your level, he can too!”
Ling Yixue, worried Ling Xiao might underestimate him and provoke Ling Yun, quickly lowered her voice to explain.
“Sword intent? Interesting!”
Ling Xiao, of course, knew what sword intent was, it was as ethereal and elusive as a martial soul, awakening it depended entirely on chance.
Most people couldn’t grasp it in a lifetime, while some comprehended it early.
“Let’s go, everyone, nothing exciting left to see, after a week’s rest, it’s the grand finals, that’s the main course!”
Ling Yun withdrew his gaze and his sword intent.
He was mildly surprised that Ling Xiao could resist his sword intent, but he didn’t dwell on it.
Some people naturally had strong willpower, being unafraid of sword intent was normal.
Even without relying on sword intent, he could still easily defeat Ling Xiao.
So there was no need to care.
Ling Xiao also withdrew his gaze.
It seemed raising his strength was urgent.
The Genius Hall’s top ten were all Fourth Layer Martial Vein warriors, especially the second, third, and fourth, all at the peak of the Fourth Layer.
As for that Ling Feifan, since he hadn’t seen him, he didn’t know his strength.
But he figured it couldn’t be weaker than those behind him.
With his current strength, beating them was nearly impossible, he had to break through!
Geniuses weren’t just geniuses because of their strength, these people surely had their own specialties, underestimating them would lead to trouble.
“Senior Sister Yixue, I’ll take my leave!”
Ling Xiao had made up his mind and didn’t want to waste time.
With his current strength, cracking the Genius Hall top ten shouldn’t be an issue, he was absolutely confident of that.
But defeating the top four would be much harder.
Top three, with things as they were, was definitely out of reach.
First place was even more unthinkable.
He’d once heard that Ling Feifan had fought Ling Yun, Ling Shuang, and Ling Zhan single-handedly without losing ground.
That was last year.
Who knew how strong that guy was now?
He didn’t believe Ling Feifan, hailed as the Ling Clan’s top genius, would stagnate and wait for others to catch up.
Seven days from now was the start of the grand finals.
Ling Xiao wouldn’t force himself to beat Ling Feifan, that was a bit too ambitious.
His current goal was to aim for first and secure top three!
Target first, ensure top three!
No doubt about it, he knew full well what landing in the top three meant.
Right now, his attack and defence methods were still too limited.
He didn’t have many ways to boost his cultivation either.
So top-tier martial techniques were a must!
At the very least, he needed to reach the top three to earn the right to choose a “top-tier martial technique.”
