On the martial arts stage.
On one side stood Ling Feifan, the unanimously acknowledged top genius of the Ling family and one of the Four Young Masters of Tianfeng City.
On the other was Ling Xiao, a dark horse who had risen from the bottom ranks, cutting through all obstacles to reach this point.
Both had their own groups of supporters.
However, in comparison, Ling Xiao’s fans didn’t even amount to a tenth of Ling Feifan’s.
The spectator stands were eerily silent.
The audience was tense.
Some hoped Ling Feifan would defeat Ling Xiao in a single move, proving he had the capital to be arrogant—solidifying his status as the Ling family’s top genius and the foremost expert of the younger generation!
Others hoped Ling Xiao could hold out a bit longer. If he lasted ten moves without losing, it would be a slap in Ling Feifan’s face.
After all, Ling Feifan’s haughty demeanor showed he didn’t take Ling Xiao seriously at all.
Whoosh—!
Like a volcano erupting, Ling Feifan stood there, and a terrifying surge of qi burst forth from his body, coalescing into the faint image of flames. It looked as though he were standing amidst a blazing inferno.
The scorching qi ignited a hairpin and scraps of cloth that someone had carelessly dropped on the ground.
Even the surrounding air grew blisteringly hot.
From over ten meters away, Ling Xiao could feel his eyebrows singeing as if they were about to catch fire. This fearsome flame qi was truly formidable.
This wasn’t an illusion!
Nor was it a misperception!
Depending on the internal cultivation method practiced, qi could take on different attributes. Clearly, Ling Feifan specialized in flame qi.
While many in the Ling family cultivated flame qi, few could refine it to his level.
“What terrifying flame qi! It’s as if it could burn everything to ash. This must be the effect of a top-tier internal cultivation method!”
Someone on the referee’s panel exclaimed.
Their judgment was spot on.
Having claimed first place for three consecutive years, Ling Feifan had likely mastered at least three top-tier martial arts.
Combat techniques, internal cultivation methods, and movement skills!
Those were the basics.
He might even possess secret techniques or soul-based skills—special martial arts beyond the norm.
No wonder Ling Feifan had dominated the top spot in the Genius Hall. To refine top-tier martial arts to the mastery stage, among all the Ling family disciples, he was the only one who had achieved it so far.
Feeling this overwhelming aura, Ling Yun’s expression shifted.
This qi was too terrifying. Its presence alone was enough to make him tremble. Ling Feifan was truly unfathomable—there was no way he could beat him.
That fool Ling Xiao dared to challenge Ling Feifan? He was courting death!
“Hahaha, Feifan hasn’t let us down indeed! Three months ago, he was already at the Martial Vein Fifth Layer Peak. Back then, his four top-tier martial arts were only at the minor achievement stage, but now it seems at least his top-tier internal cultivation method has reached mastery!”
The head referee clearly held Ling Feifan in high regard.
And it wasn’t just him—everyone else looked at Ling Feifan differently compared to the other disciples.
As long as Ling Feifan didn’t commit a grave mistake, he was exempt from the Ling family’s rules.
“I’d wager his other three top-tier martial arts have reached mastery too. That Ling Xiao is really overestimating himself. Still, it’s fine—let him witness the dominance of the Ling family’s top disciple. It’ll ground him a bit more in the future!”
“I’ve long found that Ling Xiao insufferable. A mere lowborn disciple, recruited from outside, who just happened to win the elimination round. And he dares disrespect us referees? I can’t fathom why the patriarch still protects him.”
“The patriarch’s probably trying to uphold fairness. After all, no matter how you look at it, Ling Xiao challenging Feifan doesn’t break any rules.”
“Then let Feifan teach this Ling Xiao how to behave!”
From the referee’s panel to the high-ranking Ling family members in the audience, nearly everyone supported Ling Feifan.
It was understandable. Having held the top spot in the Genius Hall for three years, Ling Feifan had ingrained an image of invincibility in their minds.
Their support for him was only natural.
Moreover, being the top-ranked, Ling Feifan received an abundance of resources—another reason he remained unbeatable.
Coupled with his prodigious cultivation talent, far surpassing Ling Yun and Ling Shuang, no one could challenge his position.
At seventeen, Ling Feifan ranked last among Tianfeng City’s Four Young Masters. But the Ling family believed that if the rankings were redone now, he’d undoubtedly take first place.
“You there, go ahead and attack. For the next quarter-hour, I won’t move from this spot. Use whatever methods you want, as long as they’re within the rules. If you can harm me—even just a scratch—I’ll consider it your win!”
Ling Feifan stood there, hands clasped behind his back, like a fire god descended. Yet his eyes were fixed on Ling Yun below the stage.
In Ling Feifan’s view, the only one worth his interest was Ling Yun.
He was eager to test just how strong Ling Yun’s sword intent really was.
So he found Ling Xiao’s challenge genuinely irritating. An ant daring to challenge a giant elephant? Laughable.
“Hahaha, as expected of Senior Brother Feifan! Only he’d dare say something like that!”
“Right! Standing still, there’s no way Ling Xiao could even touch a hair on him!”
The spectators found this perfectly reasonable.
They didn’t see Ling Feifan as showing off—because he truly had the strength to back it up.
Him saying this was normal.
It was meant to make Ling Xiao fully grasp the gulf between their abilities.
“Hahaha, a quarter-hour? Seems like you only have the confidence to last that long!”
Ling Xiao burst into laughter. “How about this: I’ll stand here without moving. I’ll give you half an hour. If you can harm me—even knock off a single hair—I’ll count it as your win!”
His sharp retort caught many in the audience off guard.
But their reactions differed.
No one thought he was heroic or bold.
Instead, they found it ridiculous.
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you’re talking to?
That’s Ling Feifan!
Forget Ling Feifan—even against any of the top five, you couldn’t win without losing a single hair.
“Putting on airs!”
“What a fool! He thinks he’s clever, but he’s completely overestimating himself!”
“Exactly! Senior Brother Feifan’s clearly going easy on him, not wanting to hurt him, but he’s digging his own grave!”
“Senior Brother Feifan, teach that arrogant brat a lesson!”
“Ling Feifan, you’re the only opponent I care about. Don’t disappoint me—finish that kid in one move.”
Ling Yun spoke up, looking at Ling Feifan.
…
Ling Feifan turned his gaze to Ling Xiao.
He hadn’t expected this guy to be so clueless!
To dare disrespect him like this!
He was the top of the Genius Hall!
Even the family elders gave him leeway. What was this kid?
He dared to look down on him?
“Head Referee, can I cripple this guy?”
Ling Feifan glanced casually at the referee’s panel and asked.
“Per the rules, as long as you don’t take his life, anything goes.”
The head referee replied.
“Good enough.”
Ling Feifan smiled and nodded, then turned back to Ling Xiao. “You should feel lucky. If this were outside, you’d already be dead. This time, I’ll just cripple you—teach you that my authority isn’t something you can challenge!”
Though he spoke with a smile, the overwhelming, ferocious aura radiating from him betrayed his deep anger and irritation.
