Among everyone, only Chen Meng wanted to stop Bei Duanchang.
Chen Meng was well aware of Ling Xiao’s fearsome power, especially his formidable and unpredictable soul techniques, which were impossible to guard against.
But she couldn’t say anything.
If she did, it would mean admitting in front of everyone that she was inferior to Ling Xiao. As someone who cared about her reputation, she didn’t dare do that.
“A life-and-death duel, then. Do you think I’m afraid of you?” Bei Duanchang declared.
He had been pushed into a corner by public pressure, which was, of course, an effect Ling Xiao had deliberately created.
Otherwise, killing Bei Duanchang in a regular fight would surely cause trouble.
But now, things were different. In a life-and-death duel, both parties would sign a contract beforehand. No matter who died, no one could seek revenge.
“Fine, let’s begin,” Ling Xiao said, a cold smile crossing his lips.
He had come today only for the Mirage Beast Core, but if someone insisted on seeking death, he didn’t mind dealing with a piece of trash.
He wasn’t afraid of Zhao Yu refusing to honour the deal afterwards. If he dared, Ling Xiao would kill him, clearing the way for Zhao Zhi.
With Yue Nü by his side, he believed no one would dare break their word, not even the Holy Emperor, let alone the mere Emperor of Beihan Kingdom.
In the beast-fighting arena, the Silver Jade Demon Elephant had been removed. Bei Duanchang stared coldly at Ling Xiao’s eerie dark golden eyes, seeing no trace of nervousness.
Not even a hint of fear.
Who was this person?
Why did he have such overwhelming confidence?
Bei Duanchang couldn’t understand.
“I am Bei Duanchang, the top core disciple of the Poison King Sect. What’s your name, kid?” he asked.
Chen Meng and the others knew Ling Xiao, but Bei Duanchang didn’t.
“Ling Xiao, top core disciple of Yuehua Sect,” Ling Xiao replied calmly.
He never lacked proper etiquette.
His words caused an uproar in the stands.
Ling Xiao’s name was now almost universally known in Beihan Kingdom.
He had caused a scene at the Sword King Sect’s beast-fighting arena, defeated Chen Meng and Ba Tianhu at the Three Sects’ Martial Assembly, and even provoked Jian Wuji.
Later, when the Holy Son and the Heavenly King Sect came to Yuehua Sect to demand justice, they were directly driven out.
All of this was tied to this young man.
“Oh? So you’re that fame-hungry Ling Xiao, who used卑鄙手段 to defeat Senior Sister Chen Meng. Fine, let me see what you’re really made of today,” Bei Duanchang said.
He had naturally heard of Ling Xiao’s name, but his reaction was one of disdain and irritation.
Ling Xiao had dared to disrespect the Holy Son and defeat Chen Meng, things even he wouldn’t dare to do.
What gave this kid the right?
As he spoke, Bei Duanchang suddenly unleashed a chilling killing intent. Behind him appeared a strange martial soul.
It was a baby.
It looked like an infant only two or three months old.
But it was disturbingly eerie, its body entirely silver, with white, upturned eyes, utterly terrifying.
“Is that the Mercury Ghost Infant Martial Soul?” someone asked.
Legend had it that during grand burials, living sacrifices were used. One method was to pour mercury into a living infant’s body to preserve the corpse from decay.
This method was utterly cruel and inhumane.
Those who possessed the Mercury Ghost Infant Martial Soul carried intense resentment, with extremely perverse and volatile personalities.
Clearly, Bei Duanchang was such a person.
“You’ve got a good eye. Yes, it’s the Mercury Ghost Infant Martial Soul,” Bei Duanchang said with a cold laugh, releasing an even more ferocious aura, all directed at Ling Xiao.
It was a chilling intent, as if it meant to strangle Ling Xiao.
“Killing intent?” Ling Xiao was slightly surprised.
He hadn’t expected Bei Duanchang to also wield killing intent. Unfortunately, the man was completely controlled by it, a prisoner to its power.
In contrast, Ling Xiao possessed killing intent but was its master. He could unleash it when needed and lock it away in his spiritual sea when not.
Noticing the change in Ling Xiao’s expression, Bei Duanchang smirked.
It seemed his killing intent had indeed shocked Ling Xiao. This suggested Ling Xiao wasn’t too strong. In the past, he had used killing intent to defeat tough opponents.
“Kid, if my killing intent shocks you this much, what happens when I unleash something even more surprising? Will you cry in fear?” Bei Duanchang mocked. “Daring to propose a life-and-death duel? You really know how to pick your grave.”
As he spoke, the martial soul behind him shuddered. A green poisonous miasma spread rapidly, soon enveloping the entire arena.
“Poisonous miasma?” Ling Xiao asked.
Seeing the green mist, he didn’t panic. Instead, he grew excited.
His next goal was to cultivate the Mist Phenomenon.
Though this poisonous miasma wasn’t quite a phenomenon, it was similar enough. Perhaps this fight was exactly what he needed to gain some insight.
“Hahaha, die, kid. Struggle for your life in this miasma. Taste true despair,” Bei Duanchang laughed maniacally from within the thick green mist.
“Just a bit of miasma. What can it do to me?” Ling Xiao sneered.
Behind him appeared the shadow of the Plague Demon King.
For dealing with miasma, this martial soul was the most suitable.
With a light step, Ling Xiao walked slowly toward Bei Duanchang.
The Plague Demon King behind him opened its mouth and inhaled deeply, drawing the miasma into itself in large quantities.
“Hm?” Bei Duanchang watched in shock, his expression turning grave.
He had faced many opponents, but none had ever countered his miasma like this.
Ling Xiao was practically his nemesis.
But he couldn’t admit defeat.
He was a six-tenths Half-Step Heavenly Venerable, far stronger than Ling Xiao. He absolutely wouldn’t lose. Never.
As the miasma cleared, the ghost infant behind him let out a shrill scream. Two streams of mercury fused into his palms, and he struck out from a distance.
Ling Xiao simply watched, walking slowly, seemingly unresponsive, his mind focused on comprehending the mysteries of the mist.
Bang.
Crack.
The two mercury spikes were swatted away by the Plague Demon King, unable to harm Ling Xiao in the slightest.
“Bei Duanchang, your killing intent is impressive, but your use of it is superficial and immature,” Ling Xiao said.
He suddenly opened his eyes, a spark of realisation in his mind.
Though he hadn’t yet mastered the Mist Phenomenon, he believed that with this insight, combined with spiritual liquid, he could succeed after this fight.
“I should thank you for this generous gift. So, in the end, I’ll let you die quickly and painlessly, sparing you a sorrowful death,” Ling Xiao said with a faint smile.
The Plague Demon King vanished, replaced by Ye Gushan.
