Before Ling Xiao’s turn in the second round of challenges, the most eye-catching match was undoubtedly Ling Zhan’s challenge against Ling Yihang.
However, this time, Ling Zhan lost decisively.
Ling Yihang’s blade was simply too terrifying. Some even speculated that he might be the only one capable of posing a threat to Ling Yun and Ling Feifan.
Of course, the fight ended so quickly that it was hard to call it exciting.
Up until the tenth-ranked Ling Xiao’s turn, there hadn’t been any matches to truly ignite the audience’s enthusiasm.
“Ling Yun!”
“Ling Yun!”
Suddenly, as Ling Xiao stood up to issue his challenge, the scene erupted. Almost all the Ling family disciples shouted Ling Yun’s name in unison.
Ling Xiao challenging Ling Yun? Naturally, they supported Ling Yun.
Even Ling Feifan’s fans temporarily rallied behind Ling Yun at this moment.
“Does that Ling Xiao really dare to challenge Senior Brother Ling Yun?”
“I reckon it’s just talk. When it’s his turn, he might not have the guts.”
“Fair point. Senior Brother Ling Yun is the only one who can challenge Senior Brother Feifan’s top spot. For Ling Xiao to secure a top ten ranking is already impressive enough.”
“You lot don’t know Ling Xiao at all! If he said those words, he won’t back down!”
“Right, hasn’t Ling Xiao been holding back his true strength too?”
Surprisingly, those supporting Ling Xiao were a group of female fans who had originally backed Ling Shuang.
It made sense, though. Ling Shuang had been so thoroughly beaten by Ling Yun that her fans were understandably upset. Even if they didn’t hold high hopes for Ling Xiao, they’d still cheer him on.
What if a miracle happened?
Would he challenge him?
Almost everyone present was waiting for the answer to that question.
Second Master Ling frowned slightly.
He didn’t want Ling Xiao to challenge Ling Yun. He wasn’t optimistic about Ling Xiao’s chances and felt it would be like falling for someone else’s provocation.
Ling Xiao glanced at Ling Yun, a strange smile suddenly playing on his lips.
“What’s this kid up to?”
Ling Yun suddenly felt something was off.
“I challenge the number one, Ling Feifan!”
A gleam of confidence flashed in Ling Xiao’s eyes.
This was a last-minute change of plan.
What was the point of defeating Ling Yun? Taking down Ling Feifan directly would surely deal a bigger blow to Ling Yun than beating him personally.
After all, Ling Yun had always been Ling Feifan’s defeated rival. For three years, no one had ever bested Ling Feifan.
So Ling Yun believed he alone was qualified to defeat him.
What would happen if Ling Feifan lost to Ling Xiao? The mere thought was thrilling.
Of course, Ling Xiao didn’t have full confidence in challenging Ling Feifan—not even sixty percent certainty.
The key issue was that he didn’t know much about Ling Feifan.
But so what? He still had four challenge opportunities. If he won, he’d solve everything in one go. If he lost, it didn’t matter.
If he didn’t dare to challenge under these conditions, he’d truly be a coward.
What?
Ling Xiao wasn’t challenging Ling Yun but the even stronger, more enigmatic Ling Feifan!
“Ling Xiao, you bastard! Why aren’t you challenging me?!”
Ling Yun was furious. He shot to his feet and roared.
“Because you’re not worthy of my challenge,” Ling Xiao said coolly. “Though, to be fair, Ling Feifan isn’t quite worthy either. Still, he’s a bit stronger than you—barely enough to spark my interest.”
Whoa!
Was this guy insane?
The second-ranked in the Genius Hall wasn’t worthy of his challenge?
The first-ranked wasn’t worthy either?
What did that mean?
Did he think he was better than both the first and second ranks of the Genius Hall?
Ling Feifan had never paid much attention to Ling Xiao before, but this time, he couldn’t ignore him.
No matter how good-tempered he was, being so blatantly dismissed was intolerable.
But Ling Xiao didn’t care what he thought. If you held the top spot, you had to be ready for challenges.
He turned to the referee’s seat and declared loudly, “You said before that I didn’t deserve the same privileges as Ling Feifan. Well, I’m about to show you whether I’m qualified or not!”
“This kid!”
A spark of intrigue flashed in Ling Xiaotian’s eyes.
For so many years, there had been too many honest, timid disciples—unwilling to challenge authority or break established rules.
As a result, no matter how talented they were, they could only linger in Tianfeng City.
But Ling Xiao’s emergence gave him a glimmer of hope.
“Let’s see if you’re all talk or if you’ve actually got the skill!”
If someone with ability was arrogant, it wasn’t arrogance—it was bold confidence!
If someone without ability was arrogant, it wasn’t arrogance—it was foolish ignorance!
Was Ling Xiao boldly confident or foolishly ignorant?
Ling Xiaotian was eager to find out.
“Ling Xiao, you’re the most ignorant disciple I’ve ever seen! Change your mind now, and I’ll pretend you never said that!”
The head referee spoke up.
He’d originally had a decent impression of Ling Xiao, but challenging Ling Feifan? That struck him as utterly absurd.
Ling Feifan was someone you could challenge?
Were you even worthy?
A lowborn disciple reaching the tenth rank in the Genius Hall was already commendable, yet he dared to dream of challenging the number one, Ling Feifan. If that wasn’t ignorance, what was?
“Head Referee, I used to respect you—especially during the elimination rounds when you stopped Ling Shisan from breaking the rules. But now, I’m growing more and more disappointed. Why can’t I challenge Ling Feifan? Why am I not qualified?”
Ling Xiao raised his voice. “Head Referee, I don’t mean to argue with you over this. But if I beat Ling Feifan, I hope you’ll apologise to me for your own ignorance and foolishness!”
“Ling Xiao! You’ve gone too far! Someone, take this disrespectful brat away!”
Ling Jiu stood up and bellowed.
“Yeah, get him out of here!”
Ling Shisan joined in the uproar.
“What a joke. I’m the disrespectful one? ‘Do not do to others what you don’t want done to you!’ How can someone who doesn’t respect others expect respect in return?”
Ling Xiao sneered. “In the entire Ling family, there are only three people I truly admire: my grandfather, Second Master Ling, and the old patriarch, Ling Xiaotian!”
His words were cleverly chosen. Even if he offended some, he couldn’t afford to alienate everyone.
Besides, Ling Xiaotian’s actions had been relatively fair, and Ling Xiao genuinely respected the old man.
“Hahaha! Well said—‘Do not do to others what you don’t want done to you!’ Brilliant!”
Ling Xiaotian laughed heartily. “This challenge is permitted by the rules. No one can stop it. And Head Referee, as the chief arbiter, you mustn’t violate the rules yourself!”
No one disliked being respected.
Ling Xiaotian was no exception.
Moreover, he was the one most eager to see Ling Xiao challenge Ling Feifan. How could he let this match be interrupted?
“Yes, Patriarch!”
The head referee had only lost his composure because he was overly protective of Ling Feifan. In truth, he was relatively impartial and held no personal grudge against Ling Xiao.
Ling Jiu and Ling Shisan, on the other hand, were trembling with rage. But what could they do? In front of Ling Xiaotian, they didn’t dare make a peep.
“What’s your name again?”
Ling Feifan remained seated, squinting at Ling Xiao as he asked.
“Ling—”
“Forget it. It doesn’t matter what your name is.”
Ling Xiao barely started to reply before Ling Feifan cut him off.
“You’ll be off this stage soon enough anyway. I don’t know who gave you the courage to step up and challenge me. This joke isn’t funny at all.”
