That eagle-like figure landed on the ground, producing a deafening sound, causing the entire city wall to shake a few times.
Then, thousands of troops charged forward, their momentum overwhelming.
“Ling Xiao, come out and face your death! Do you really want me to destroy the entire Tianfeng City?”
Standing at the forefront of the group was likely the Lord of Whale Island.
This man was burly and exceptionally tall, standing around five or six metres, holding a trident that seemed to support the heavens, roaring like a ferocious deity.
“Got some business with me?”
Ling Xiao stood atop the city wall, looking at the giant with a half-smile, a hint of mockery on his face.
“You…”
The giant saw Ling Xiao, and his expression changed drastically, his body involuntarily retreating two steps.
At this moment, Ling Xiao did not conceal his cultivation, fully displaying his strength at the early stage of the Ninth Mortal Realm.
However, this aura could only be sensed by warriors of the same Mortal Realm.
“You’re the Lord of Whale Island? Hmph, I thought you were some remarkable figure, but with a mere peak Eighth Mortal Realm cultivation, you dare cause trouble in Tianfeng City?”
Ling Xiao gave a cold snort, a powerful aura surging towards the Lord of Whale Island.
“Ah!”
The Lord of Whale Island retreated again, looking at Ling Xiao in terror and shouting, “Kid, your cultivation is indeed stronger than mine, but this is the Northern Han Kingdom, the territory of the Moonlight Sect. If you touch me, the Moonlight Sect won’t let you off!”
“The Moonlight Sect? Don’t tell me you’re a disciple of the Moonlight Sect.”
Ling Xiao had never heard of the Moonlight Sect having such a disciple.
“Though I’m not a disciple of the Moonlight Sect, Whale Island is affiliated with them, offering tributes every month. If something happens to Whale Island, the Moonlight Sect will surely send experts!”
The Lord of Whale Island said proudly.
“That’s tricky.”
Ling Xiao stroked his chin. He had initially planned to use decisive measures to kill the invading Lord of Whale Island, but since this man was connected to the Moonlight Sect, he couldn’t act so rashly.
“Hahaha, scared now, kid? I won’t make things difficult for you. Just compensate with some spirit stones and apologise to Whale Island, and we’ll call it even!”
Seeing Ling Xiao’s apparent hesitation, the Lord of Whale Island thought he was afraid and grew smug.
However, he still feared Ling Xiao’s strength, so his demands weren’t too excessive, just a way to save face.
“Master, he killed my two senior brothers! Are we just letting it go?”
Beside him was the young man who had infiltrated the Divine Sword Sect’s disciple recruitment ceremony.
It was he who had informed the Lord of Whale Island of these events.
“Shut up!”
The Lord of Whale Island shouted sternly.
He feared his disciple might provoke this powerful figure.
Others might give face to the Moonlight Sect and not oppose them, but if pushed too far, some ruthless individuals might destroy them and then flee.
The Moonlight Sect wouldn’t go to great lengths for a mere affiliated faction.
“Afraid?”
Ling Xiao couldn’t help but laugh, “Since when did an affiliated faction of the Moonlight Sect dare to be disrespectful to a true disciple of the Moonlight Sect?”
“What!”
The Lord of Whale Island wasn’t a fool. Hearing Ling Xiao’s words, how could he not understand their meaning?
“You’re an inner disciple of the Moonlight Sect?”
Ling Xiao didn’t explain, merely tossing out a token that gleamed in mid-air, inscribed with four words—
“Core Disciple!”
Thud!
Seeing those four words, the Lord of Whale Island dropped to his knees, trembling.
This scene stunned everyone.
Without even fighting, a single token had made the Lord of Whale Island kneel. It was simply too incredible.
“I pay my respects to the Core Disciple, please forgive me, Senior Brother Ling!”
The Lord of Whale Island, trembling, looked at Ling Xiao, fearing he might suddenly strike him down.
Despite his Eighth Mortal Realm cultivation, provoking a core disciple of the Moonlight Sect, even one weaker than him, would lead to the complete destruction of Whale Island.
A core disciple wasn’t just a symbol of strength, but of authority!
If something happened to a core disciple, the Moonlight Sect would spare no effort to seek revenge, unless faced with insurmountable difficulties.
And he, the Lord of Whale Island, had no right to provoke such a terrifying existence.
It was like a local magistrate encountering a prince on tour—unless he sought death, who would dare court such trouble?
“What’s going on?”
“I’m confused too, but it seems the Supreme Leader of the Divine Sword Sect is some extraordinary figure, even that big monster fears him.”
“It’s too bizarre!”
“So, we’re not going to die?”
“Die? Not a chance! With the Divine Sword Sect’s protection, Tianfeng City will be safer than Yunkong City. This place might become a treasure land, worth its weight in gold!”
The citizens of Tianfeng City were overjoyed.
The disciples of the Divine Sword Sect felt immense pride.
“Tell your people to get lost. As for you, I have some questions. Once we’re done, you can leave.”
Ling Xiao said calmly.
“I obey!”
The Lord of Whale Island stood, waving his hand behind him.
The menacing disciples of Whale Island retreated as quickly as they had come, vanishing in an instant.
“What does Senior Brother Ling wish to ask?”
By now, Ling Xiao had descended from the city wall, meeting the Lord of Whale Island outside the city.
“Has anything strange happened near Whale Island recently?”
Ling Xiao asked.
“Are you here to complete a sect mission, Senior Brother Ling?”
The Lord of Whale Island suddenly realised, “Yes, recently a strange foggy area appeared at sea. Once you enter, you can’t come out. It’s terrifying. To be honest, even warriors with cultivation equal to yours have gone in and never returned.”
“I see.”
Ling Xiao nodded faintly.
“Senior Brother Ling, you may not like hearing this, but I must say it,” the Lord of Whale Island hesitated.
“Go on.”
“Your cultivation is too low. For a mission of this level, it’s best to send a Half-Step Heavenly Venerable. Otherwise, you won’t make it out alive.”
The Lord of Whale Island spoke.
He seemed to have some reservations, but what he said was true.
With only early Ninth Mortal Realm cultivation, Ling Xiao was somewhat overreaching to take on a ten-star mission.
“Half-Step Heavenly Venerable, you say?”
Ling Xiao smiled faintly, “No need to worry. If I took this mission, I can complete it. Or do you think the sect’s higher-ups have worse judgement than you?”
“No, no, I wouldn’t dare!”
The Lord of Whale Island thought it over. If the sect sent Ling Xiao, it meant he had the means to complete the mission.
Or there was another possibility—
Someone in the sect wanted Ling Xiao to disappear!
But whichever it was, it wasn’t something a small figure like him could meddle in. All he could do was follow orders.
“Then I wish Senior Brother Ling swift success!”
The Lord of Whale Island said.
