The first to step forward and face the provocation was, surprisingly, Ling Xiao’s younger brother, Ling Luo.
It had been a long time since they last met, but Ling Xiao had provided Ling Luo with a large amount of cultivation resources. Even if Ling Luo’s aptitude wasn’t exceptional, his cultivation shouldn’t be lacking by now.
Ling Luo did not disappoint Ling Xiao. His current cultivation was, like the provoking youth, at the peak of the ninth level of the Martial Vein Realm.
Within the Divine Sword Sect today, Mortal Realm martial artists were no longer a myth.
Master Baiyun: Third level of the Mortal Realm;
Ling Xiaotian: First level of the Mortal Realm;
Ling Wuhen: Second level of the Mortal Realm;
Ling Yihang: Third level of the Mortal Realm!
These were the Divine Sword Sect’s four Mortal Realm martial artists.
Of course, compared to the Twelve Sects, such cultivation levels would only rank at the bottom of their inner sects.
But achieving such progress in just one year was truly remarkable.
All four were present at the scene, but they had no intention of intervening. For Mortal Realm cultivators to bully those at the Martial Vein Realm would be giving the opponent too much face.
Besides these four, Ling Shuang, Ling Zhan, Ling Luo, and seven others had all reached the peak of the ninth level of the Martial Vein Realm, not far from advancing to the Mortal Realm.
Since the challenger was at the Martial Vein Realm, it was only fitting that someone of the same realm stepped forward. A victory this way would deliver a stronger deterrent to the opponent!
“Ling Luo, don’t hold back. Since someone dares to provoke the Divine Sword Sect, show them what we’re made of!” Ling Zhan said with a laugh. “If you can’t handle it, I’ll take over!”
“I won’t hold back, of course. I’ll use this opportunity to break through to the Mortal Realm, bringing me closer to my brother!” Ling Luo replied.
He wielded a sword as well.
In fact, the martial arts he studied were identical to those of the old Ling Xiao.
This kid completely idolised Ling Xiao, mimicking his every move.
Initially, Ling Xiao had considered stopping him, as blindly copying could lead to failure.
But later, he discovered that Ling Luo’s talent in martial arts was no less than his own, and his comprehension of the sword had even reached Ling Xiao’s level.
Without the Mountain and River Martial Soul, this kid truly had the same flair Ling Xiao had back then.
Because of this, Ling Xiao didn’t intervene. Instead, he passed on all his cultivation experiences and martial arts to his younger brother.
During his cultivation, Ling Luo, combined with his own martial soul, gained new insights. Thus, the same martial arts, when performed, gradually took on different power and style, bearing his own unique mark.
“Arrogant!” The intruding youth sneered, then charged forward.
Ling Luo didn’t move.
He stood there, sword in hand, as if oblivious to the incoming attack.
Only when the opponent was about a metre away did Ling Luo suddenly strike.
His sword was incredibly fast, piercing the youth’s throat in a single strike, killing him on the spot!
“Such trash dares to provoke the Divine Sword Sect? His death is no loss!” Ling Luo flicked the blood off his sword and snorted coldly.
The kid’s expression was almost identical to Ling Xiao’s from back then.
“Well done, Ling Luo!” Ling Zhan shouted excitedly.
The Divine Sword Sect today was indeed different from before, no longer a place where any random person could come and bully them.
“You bastard, you dared to kill my junior brother!” An old man who had come with the youth roared in fury, his true essence surging wildly, releasing a terrifying aura.
Oh? A fifth-level Mortal Realm cultivator? This could be tricky!
Ling Xiao frowned. He had a feeling that this old man and the youth who came to cause trouble at the Divine Sword Sect were not from the Northern Han Kingdom.
Though the youth was killed by Ling Luo in one strike, Ling Xiao still noticed some clues in his techniques, which were distinctly different from those of Northern Han Kingdom martial artists.
Boom!
Ling Luo, being the closest to the old man, was struck by a ferocious aura, sent flying backwards, spitting blood profusely.
Ling Xiao didn’t intervene.
He could tell this wouldn’t kill Ling Luo, only make him suffer a bit.
Young people shouldn’t have it too easy, or they’d struggle with the slightest hardship.
As long as Ling Luo wasn’t in mortal danger, Ling Xiao wouldn’t act rashly.
On the platform, Master Baiyun, Ling Xiaotian, Ling Wuhen, and Ling Yihang jumped down.
Since a Mortal Realm martial artist was causing trouble, it was only natural for them to step in; others wouldn’t suffice.
“All four of you, come at me! You dared to kill my junior brother, so I’ll make everyone in your Divine Sword Sect pay with their lives!” The old man was furious, his face covered in red veins, looking utterly terrifying.
“Be careful, this man’s strength is formidable. Even the four of us together may not be his match. We must not underestimate him!” Master Baiyun warned, eyeing the opponent.
“Understood!”
Then, the four lunged forward together to confront the provoking martial artist.
Boom!
Just one move!
Just one sound!
The four were sent back the same way they came, all in bad shape.
Though it wasn’t a defeat, being repelled in a single move was a loss of face for the Divine Sword Sect.
“So, the Divine Sword Sect isn’t as impressive as the rumours say. Just one random guy took down their four top experts?”
“I’m starting to wonder if it’s worth staying here to train. This is too embarrassing.”
“Exactly!”
“Isn’t that Ling Wuhen the sect leader? How’s he so weak?”
The failure of the four top experts had a significant negative impact, causing many young geniuses who had been confident in the Divine Sword Sect to start doubting.
“Hahaha, you’re right. The Divine Sword Sect is a trash sect! Everyone in it is garbage!” The old man laughed arrogantly, his aura growing even stronger.
“Is that so?” A voice rang out from the crowd, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Brother!”
“Supreme Sect Leader!”
“Brother Ling Xiao!”
Excited voices rose one after another.
The last time Ling Xiao returned, he helped the Divine Sword Sect repel the Sword King Sect. This time, he returned to find such a situation again.
But after this, it shouldn’t happen again.
Ling Xiao planned to place the Land of Dragons in the Divine Sword Sect, under Long Chen’s control.
With the addition of the Five-Faced Monster, even experts from the Twelve Sects, as long as they weren’t at the Heavenly Realm, would have to think twice before coming to cause trouble.
Of course, this time, Ling Xiao had to restore the Divine Sword Sect’s reputation. With others calling him trash, could he remain unmoved?
“Who’s that young man?”
“I heard he’s the Supreme Sect Leader of the Divine Sword Sect, with more authority than Sect Leader Leng Wuhen. His whereabouts are quite mysterious.”
“No way, he’s so young. Could he be rejuvenated?”
“No, I heard he’s only fourteen or fifteen, just extraordinarily talented, far beyond ordinary people!”
Seeing Ling Xiao, the geniuses who had lost confidence in the Divine Sword Sect suddenly grew excited.
They had thought the legendary Supreme Sect Leader was just a myth, but today, they saw him with their own eyes.
Though his appearance was somehow unclear, the figure standing there couldn’t be mistaken.
