After enduring so many trials, Ling Xiao finally comprehended the second form.
If the first form was a wide-ranging attack, then this second form was a supreme one-on-one strike.
The qi sword, wrapped in a black dragon shadow, sliced through the void in an instant, striking the charging Ancient Ship King.
Boom!
A tremendous roar echoed.
The giant sword pierced through all of the Ancient Ship King’s defences, running his body through.
Then, black flames spread, radiating terrifying heat.
In a mere moment, the mighty Ancient Ship King was reduced to a pile of charred ash and a lingering soul.
“Seal!”
Ling Xiao naturally wouldn’t let the Ancient Ship King escape so easily, instantly sealing him onto a blank sealing card.
“Heaven-Human Realm, First Heaven, one use.”
Only one use?
Ling Xiao couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
It seemed that only the most elite monsters in each realm could be used three times, like the Half-Step Heavenly Venerables in the Mortal Realm or the Half-Step Realm Kings in the Heaven-Human Realm.
Still, one use was decent, as a Heaven-Human Realm powerhouse could serve as his strongest asset before he advanced to that realm himself.
“The Ancient Dragon Soul, truly extraordinary!”
Ling Xiao couldn’t help but marvel, then withdrew his attack.
The black flames that spread after killing the Ancient Ship King were relentlessly devouring the lives of the black spirits.
Among them were several Half-Step Heavenly Venerables.
Since the Fairness Pendant was still active, Ling Xiao needed to resolve the situation quickly, or once its effect wore off, even facing a Half-Step Heavenly Venerable would likely be troublesome.
“Unfortunately, it seems the Hellfire True Essence hasn’t fully integrated, and once it’s depleted, it can’t be replenished. Looks like I need to keep working on it.”
In this attack, Ling Xiao not only witnessed the fearsome power of the Ancient Dragon Soul but also recognised his current limitations.
No rush for now, though; first, he’d deal with that venomous woman, Tantai Lingzi.
Ling Xiao suddenly looked up at Tantai Lingzi.
He had already developed a killing intent and had the means to eliminate her completely.
But when he looked up, he saw her body already burning in the black flames.
Suicide?
Ling Xiao was stunned.
That cunning woman, knowing he wouldn’t spare her, chose elimination to save her life.
“Hmph, so what if you escape the Moonflower Pagoda? Once I’m out, I’ll still take your life!”
Ling Xiao snorted coldly, ignoring her for now and turning to check on Dai Yuling.
…
Moonflower Pagoda, Inner Sect Square.
Whoosh!
Another figure was ejected, revealing a woman.
It was Tantai Lingzi.
Though her condition had returned to its peak, her face looked grim, as if she’d been terrified.
“Tantai Lingzi!”
“Senior Sister Tantai!”
“The last hope of the Moonflower Sect!”
Tantai Lingzi was dazed upon emerging.
She felt like a hero, greeted by the crowd as if they were worshipping a star.
Even the sect’s higher-ups, who usually paid her no mind, now looked at her with strong goodwill.
“Tantai, this sect intends to take you as a disciple. Are you willing?”
Sect Leader Chang Yueying suddenly asked.
“Sect Leader, didn’t you say you wouldn’t take disciples? Last time, when Ling Xiao wanted to apprentice under you, you refused. Why are you now offering to take one?”
Guanghan Heavenly Venerable asked in surprise.
A flash of embarrassment crossed Chang Yueying’s face, but she smiled and said, “You all know why I don’t take disciples. I simply don’t take male disciples, but female ones are fine.”
“Hmph, it’s really because you looked down on Ling Xiao’s aptitude, isn’t it?”
Yuan Zun snorted, secretly transmitting his voice to Yang Danlin.
Though no one dared say it openly, this was likely the real reason, with everything else secondary.
As the Moonflower Sect Leader, how could Chang Yueying not want disciples?
But as Sect Leader, she would only take the most outstanding ones.
Tantai Lingzi had exceptional aptitude, and her performance in this pagoda-climbing ceremony was remarkable. Missing out on her would be a regret.
Though many others also wanted to take Tantai Lingzi as a disciple, Chang Yueying had beaten them to it.
“This disciple is willing!”
For Tantai Lingzi, apprenticing brought many benefits.
Most importantly, she knew Ling Xiao wouldn’t let her go, but if she became Chang Yueying’s disciple, he would hesitate to act against her.
So Chang Yueying’s offer was like a lifeline, a godsend.
Though Ling Xiao’s cultivation was clearly inferior to hers, and his ability to kill the Ancient Ship King likely relied on some treasure, she still felt fear towards him.
That guy was inhumanly strong, and his cultivation speed was terrifying. Surpassing her might just be a matter of time.
“Hahaha, wonderful! Truly wonderful! Congratulations to the Sect Leader for gaining such an excellent disciple. Persisting for eleven days in the pagoda-climbing ceremony, her gains are probably no less than yours back then. Truly remarkable!”
Supreme Sect Leader Chang Yueli was brimming with jealousy and bitterness.
Her words praised Tantai Lingzi but also carried strong envy.
She, too, had wanted to take Tantai Lingzi as a disciple.
After all, her favoured disciple, Bai Feifei, had been eliminated far too early.
“Reporting to the Sect Leader, Tantai Lingzi’s final results are out.”
At that moment, a golden light shot from the Moonflower Pagoda.
Chang Yueying reached out, and the light landed in her hand.
“Final result: reached the fourth stage! Hehe, not bad at all.”
Chang Yueying was overjoyed, “Earned Moonflower Points: 2,000! That’s 200 more than Leng Hao. Excellent, very excellent! And your cultivation seems to have broken through, hasn’t it?”
“I dare not conceal, Master. I entered at Mortal Realm Eighth Stage Peak, and now I’m at Mortal Realm Ninth Stage Late!”
What!
As soon as Tantai Lingzi spoke, the entire crowd was shocked.
To achieve such a significant breakthrough at the Mortal Realm Eighth Stage Peak was simply incredible.
“Excellent, truly excellent. What did you gain?”
Chang Yueying grew even more delighted, while the other higher-ups felt waves of regret.
Tantai Lingzi’s results were so impressive. Had they known, they would have taken her as a disciple earlier, but now the Sect Leader had claimed her.
Yet Tantai Lingzi’s subsequent report of her gains made them regret even more, and they were filled with envy.
Immortal-Grade Treasures: Three!
Gold-Grade Top-Tier Martial Arts: Four sets!
Rare-Grade Treasures: Ten!
Gold-Grade Superior Martial Arts: Nine sets!
Beyond these, what shocked everyone most was that Tantai Lingzi had also obtained a Divine-Grade Treasure!
Though her Moonflower Points only slightly exceeded Leng Hao’s, her gains far surpassed his.
