On the martial arts stage, Ling Yun looked at Ling Shuang as if she were a joke.
Though Ling Shuang was strong, she was far from his match. To dare challenge him was simply foolish!
That was Ling Yun’s nature—he wouldn’t tolerate any weakling daring to question his authority or status.
It was unforgivable.
Watching the two, Ling Xiao smiled faintly. He was definitely going to challenge Ling Yun, so this match was a perfect chance to see what Ling Yun was truly capable of.
“Soft Water Sword Technique!”
Ling Shuang made the first move.
She knew full well how powerful Ling Yun was. If she didn’t act, she’d have no chance at all.
The Soft Water Sword Technique, as its name suggested, was a relatively gentle and fluid sword style, and it demanded a specific weapon.
It had to be a soft sword!
At that moment, the soft sword in Ling Shuang’s hand darted towards Ling Yun like a venomous snake, striking from an eerily unpredictable angle.
The sword technique might appear soft.
But that was only on the surface. When it landed, it could still inflict tremendous damage.
A top-tier sword technique?
Ling Xiao couldn’t help but frown. As expected of the third-ranked disciple in the Genius Hall—she had already mastered a top-tier martial art.
The top-tier defensive technique Ling Ji had used earlier was merely an incomplete fragment, yet it had been impressive enough.
Most disciples of the Ling family, in truth, only possessed advanced martial arts at best.
Only the top three in the Genius Hall from the annual grand competition earned the right to acquire top-tier martial arts.
Ling Shuang had placed third the previous year.
Though her top-tier “Soft Water Sword Technique” had only reached the minor achievement stage—still some distance from mastery—top-tier martial arts were top-tier for a reason. Their power far surpassed even most perfected advanced martial arts.
Gentle!
Unpredictable!
Those were the hallmarks of the Soft Water Sword Technique.
With his Mountain and River Martial Soul, Ling Xiao could easily analyse the brilliance of this sword style.
“It’s been a year, and your Soft Water Sword Technique is still only at the minor achievement stage. You dare to face me? You’re overestimating yourself!”
Ling Yun snorted coldly. Without even drawing a weapon, he threw a punch straight at her.
“Boom!”
The punch was so fast that it struck precisely at the weakest point in Ling Shuang’s Soft Water Sword Technique.
Ling Shuang hurriedly used her lightness skill to retreat several steps, nearly falling off the stage.
Only then did she barely manage to dispel the force of Ling Yun’s punch.
“Ling Shuang, I’m giving you some face. Surrender now while you still can, or it won’t look pretty later!”
Ling Yun didn’t pursue her. He simply stood at a distance, gazing at her with deep disdain in his eyes.
“Senior Brother Ling Yun is just too strong! He didn’t even use his signature swordsmanship and still easily countered Senior Sister Ling Shuang’s Soft Water Sword Technique!”
“That punch wasn’t an ordinary move either. It must be an advanced fist technique at the perfected stage. But that alone wouldn’t have beaten Ling Shuang’s sword strike. It’s his qi quality—it’s too strong. He’s probably already touching the edge of the Martial Vein Fifth Layer Peak!”
There were perceptive individuals in the audience who had already deduced why Ling Yun could suppress Ling Shuang with a single punch.
“Ling Yun, you don’t need to hold back. Since I dared to challenge you today, I’m not afraid of looking foolish!”
Ling Shuang’s personality carried a stubborn streak. Though she knew she’d lose, she refused to concede. Otherwise, this battle would become a lingering demon on her cultivation path.
“Stubborn fool!”
Tyrant Fist!
It was the same Tyrant Fist, but when Ling Yun executed it, it carried a true aura of unrivalled dominance—far superior to Ling Ji’s version.
As the punch blasted out, it was as if a supreme ruler had descended. Golden qi enveloped his fist, accompanied by a thunderous roar.
In that instant, Ling Yun seemed like a different person entirely.
The terrifying shockwave of this aura caused many disciples near the stage to clutch their heads in pain, their blood surging.
“Though it’s only an advanced martial art at the perfected stage, when this guy uses it, it’s more terrifying than even minor or mastery-level top-tier martial arts. It really shows that having a good technique isn’t enough—your own cultivation has to keep up!”
Ling Xiao sighed inwardly. Ling Yun was leagues ahead of Ling Shuang.
This guy didn’t even use his swordsmanship.
Nor did he need to unleash his sword intent to firmly suppress Ling Shuang.
Terrifying!
No wonder he felt confident enough to challenge Ling Feifan. His character might be lacking, but his strength was undeniable.
“Soft Water Sword Dance!”
This was a defensive move within the Soft Water Sword Technique.
At this point, Ling Shuang had no way to dodge Ling Yun’s attack, so her only option was to defend.
“Boom!”
A sound like an explosion erupted on the stage, and the protective barrier was nearly blasted into a conical shape over five or six metres wide.
And that was just the qi that had dispersed through Ling Shuang’s body.
“Pfft!”
Without any suspense, Ling Shuang was sent flying.
She barely managed to land on the ground below the stage, but a mouthful of blood sprayed out, staining the floor red.
Though Ling Xiao felt a twinge of sympathy at this sight, it was relatively mild. In the grand competition, picking the wrong opponent might just result in spitting blood.
But out in the real world, choosing the wrong foe meant death!
“Two moves! Senior Brother Ling Yun is too terrifying—he defeated the third-ranked Senior Sister Ling Shuang in just two moves!”
“Yeah, Senior Sister Ling Shuang isn’t weak by any means.”
“Then why don’t you try challenging Ling Shuang in the next round?”
The crowd below buzzed with all sorts of comments.
But Ling Xiao could see it clearly—it wasn’t that Ling Shuang was weak; Ling Yun was just too strong.
After winning the match, Ling Yun didn’t spare Ling Shuang a glance. Instead, his eyes shifted to Ling Xiao, seated in the tenth position.
Before facing Ling Feifan in a final showdown, he planned to deal with Ling Xiao first.
“Ling Xiao! If you’re man enough, challenge me in the next round! You’ve still got four chances anyway—losing won’t even be a disgrace!”
Ling Yun suddenly called out.
“No need to provoke me. I was already planning to test your sword intent!”
Ling Xiao had initially intended to challenge Ling Yihang in the next round, defeating him before taking on Ling Yun. But now, he changed his mind.
There was no point in waiting. Even Ling Shuang couldn’t force Ling Yun to use his sword intent. Aside from Ling Feifan, no one else was likely to either.
So, whether he challenged him early or late, it made no difference.
Besides, Ling Xiao had plenty of trump cards. Even if he revealed one or two while facing Ling Yun, it wouldn’t matter much.
“You think you’re worthy of making me use my sword intent? What a joke!”
Ling Yun sneered and returned to his seat.
In his view, his provocation had worked. Now he just had to wait for Ling Xiao to challenge him in the next round.
Then he’d conveniently avenge his brother while crushing this arrogant newcomer.
After Ling Shuang’s challenge, it was Ling Yun’s turn.
He merely glanced at Ling Feifan and said coolly, “Once I’ve dealt with that kid, I’ll challenge you next round!”
“I’ll be waiting!” Ling Feifan replied calmly.
“I forfeit!”
Ling Yun chose to abstain this round, but everyone understood why. His earlier words had been clear—he intended to take care of Ling Xiao first, avenge his brother, and then face Ling Feifan in peak condition.
As for exposing his trump cards?
Ling Yun hadn’t even considered it. He didn’t think Ling Xiao was worthy of forcing him to reveal anything.
His target was Ling Feifan. No one could defeat Ling Feifan except him.
Ling Feifan was his inner demon, and only he could overcome him. If someone beat Ling Feifan before he did, Ling Yun figured he might actually lose his mind.
