Ling Xiao’s overall impression of the Northern Han Kingdom was still quite positive, after all, whether it was Lin Ze or Zhao Zhi, they could be considered brothers forged in life-and-death situations.
Even Zhao Ci now worshipped him like an idol, so if possible, he was absolutely unwilling to make an enemy of the Northern Han Kingdom.
However, the words of the Northern Han Kingdom’s Crown Prince were utterly displeasing.
“I am the Crown Prince of the Northern Han Kingdom. The challenge this time is decided by me. Whoever I allow to participate can participate, and whoever I don’t allow cannot!”
The Crown Prince of the Northern Han Kingdom declared arrogantly.
This man had been spoilt rotten, likely because the three southern sects treated him with the respect due to a master, so he genuinely believed himself to be above others.
In truth, for someone like him, with a cultivation merely at the Martial Vein Realm, Ling Xiao could drown him with a single spit, and killing him would cause no issues whatsoever.
“Ha, if that’s the case, why not just hand the reward to him directly? Why bother with this hypocritical challenge? Isn’t this just fooling the heroes of the world?”
Ling Xiao’s words were spoken loudly.
“The time of sect disciples isn’t as leisurely as yours, Your Highness. They have many things to do and no time to waste on your nonsense!”
“Zhao Yu! Are you playing me, kid?”
Ba Tianhu was the first to lose his temper. He was already upset after losing to the Silver Jade Demon Elephant, and now he suddenly realised this was just a ploy by Crown Prince Zhao Yu to gain fame and boost the reputation of the three southern sects’ disciples while showcasing his wealth and magnanimity as the Crown Prince.
He might be slow, but with Ling Xiao’s hint, he instantly understood everything.
Not only him, but many in the stands began whispering, some even cursing openly.
After all, most people present were well aware of Zhao Yu’s connections with the three southern sects.
“You there, Bei Duanchang, right? I don’t think you need to bother with the challenge. It’s just a performance anyway. As long as you follow your Crown Prince’s script, I bet when you can’t hold on later, the electric shock array in the beast-fighting arena will activate, helping you defeat the Silver Jade Demon Elephant.”
Ling Xiao’s face carried a hint of disdain and contempt.
Naturally, there was also a strong sense of mockery.
“Besides, Brother Ba, don’t get angry. Haven’t you seen through the trick here? His Highness is toying with us.”
Ling Xiao’s words seemed to comfort Ba Tianhu, but in reality, they were more effective than provocation.
“Damn his ancestors!”
Ba Tianhu leapt forward, ready to fight Zhao Yu to the death.
The status of the Twelve Sects was not to be challenged.
Many in the stands began pointing and whispering about Zhao Yu, causing the once-confident Crown Prince, who had been sitting calmly, to feel as if his backside were on fire, with cold sweat running down his back.
“Brother Ba, please calm down. Let’s hear what His Highness has to say.”
Chen Meng quickly stepped in to stop Ba Tianhu.
Zhao Yu hurriedly said, “Yes, yes, Young Hero Ba, don’t listen to this boy’s divisive nonsense. He’s clearly trying to sow discord!”
“What a joke. Me, sowing discord? Then tell me, since I was the first to issue the challenge, why wasn’t I allowed to participate? Dare you say there’s no foul play here?”
Ling Xiao questioned.
“That’s because His Highness cares for you, fearing your strength is too weak and you’d die in the beast-fighting arena.”
Bei Duanchang said sinisterly.
“Is that so? I think I’m quite strong.” Ling Xiao smiled. “Certain people couldn’t even kill me with a sneak attack.”
“Kid, it seems you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin. Fine, let’s have a match first. Whoever wins gets to challenge the Silver Jade Demon Elephant. How about that?”
Bei Duanchang had to save face for Crown Prince Zhao Yu, so at this moment, he could only use his strength to prove that “His Highness truly cares for Ling Xiao.”
“What a joke. If I challenge the Silver Jade Demon Elephant, I’ll get a Beast King-level inner core and a million low-grade spirit stones. What benefit do I get from fighting you?”
Ling Xiao said disdainfully.
“I can give you the same things!”
Bei Duanchang hated wasting words, but today, he had to make things clear. Otherwise, if he just killed Ling Xiao, people would only say he was silencing him and that the Crown Prince was indeed fooling the sect disciples.
This matter could be big or small.
If it affected the establishment of the Heavenly Dragon Academy, his crime would be grave.
“Oh, is that true?”
Ling Xiao immediately showed an interested expression. He didn’t care either way; whether fighting a person or the Silver Jade Demon Elephant, as long as he got what he wanted, it was fine.
“Absolutely true! I, the Crown Prince, can bear witness!”
Crown Prince Zhao Yu also stood up and declared, wishing Bei Duanchang would kill Ling Xiao on the spot.
“I want a Beast King-level Mirage Beast inner core. Do you have that too?”
Ling Xiao asked.
“A small matter. I, the Crown Prince, would not dare to speak nonsense in front of the world’s heroes.”
Zhao Yu did indeed have a Mirage Beast inner core, and it was indeed Beast King-level, but it was prepared for the establishment of the Heavenly Dragon Academy, supposedly to set up a mist array.
Of course, he wouldn’t give it to Ling Xiao. Since Ling Xiao was about to die, he wouldn’t have to hand it over, and there’d be no consequences.
“Good, in that case, fine. But I have a proposal too.”
Ling Xiao looked at Bei Duanchang with a playful expression.
“Speak!”
“Since we’re going to play, let’s make it exciting. How about a life-and-death duel?”
In truth, ever since Bei Duanchang ambushed Ling Xiao, he had already put him on his death list. This person had to die.
But how to kill him for maximum value?
This situation was perfect. Not only could it intimidate the three southern sects, but he could also get what he wanted and make the Northern Han Kingdom weigh the importance of the Moonlight Sect. It was a win-win.
Hearing this, Bei Duanchang’s pupils suddenly contracted.
A life-and-death duel?
He had indeed thought about killing Ling Xiao and shouldn’t fear a life-and-death duel, but why was this kid so calm?
And why would he dare to propose a life-and-death duel?
What was his trump card?
“What, the third-ranked core disciple of the three southern sects is actually afraid of an unknown like me?”
Ling Xiao sneered. “If so, get lost. I still have to challenge the Silver Jade Demon Elephant.”
Arrogant!
Utterly arrogant!
The disciples of the three southern sects trembled with rage.
“Brother Bei, accept his challenge and kill this kid!”
“Brother Bei, since this kid doesn’t know his place, don’t give him a way out. Finish him!”
Under the immense pressure of public opinion, Bei Duanchang couldn’t refuse even if he wanted to.
He was now in a dilemma.
On one hand, he feared Ling Xiao had a hidden card and didn’t want to risk everything, nor did he need to.
On the other hand, with so many people cheering him on, if he didn’t accept, he’d lose face completely.
