In the next few matches, Ling Xiao’s fights became effortless. As soon as he stepped onto the stage, opponents immediately conceded.
Having witnessed his battle, no one wanted to waste time or energy on him.
They’d seen Yan Liehuo’s harsh lesson.
After fighting Ling Xiao, Yan Liehuo lost three matches in a row before gradually recovering. He’d likely advance, but it was exhausting.
Seeing this, Leng Hao was envious. “Brother Ling, with one little show of power, they’re all too scared to fight you. I’m not so lucky, it’s too tough.”
“When facing an unbeatable opponent, give up wisely. That’s the strategy I set for you. Follow it, and you’ll advance easily.”
During downtime, Ling Xiao devised advancement strategies for Leng Hao and Dai Yuling.
It outlined whom to fight hard against and whom to concede to.
Lan Yuer and Long Chen didn’t need it; their strength was enough to dominate most matches.
“Thank you so much, Brother Ling. I was stressing over this.”
Though Leng Hao was strong with good advancement odds, a single upset could be embarrassing.
With Ling Xiao’s strategy and his strength, advancement was certain.
Leng Hao never doubted Ling Xiao’s judgment. After so long together, he knew how sharp his senior brother’s analytical skills were.
“Go, fight with confidence, ignore the crowd’s chatter, just advance.”
Ling Xiao reminded him.
Being young and spirited, Leng Hao might ignore the strategy and fight recklessly if provoked by spectators.
“Don’t worry, Brother Ling, I’ll just block my ears, heh heh.”
“Junior Brother Ling, look over there, Ying Wuya seems in trouble.”
Lan Yuer’s voice suddenly sounded in Ling Xiao’s ear.
Ling Xiao looked over.
Ying Wuya, Beast King Palace’s last remaining finalist, had been cruising smoothly until now.
His opponent was Bai Sanshao, ranked twenty-ninth in the last Martial Arts Festival.
Both had Great Roc martial souls.
Ying Wuya’s was a Golden-Winged Great Roc.
Bai Sanshao’s was a Snow Domain Great Roc.
One soul shimmered with golden light.
The other gleamed with icy snow.
Both were striking.
On the battlefield, they clashed repeatedly, their figures flickering, too fast for ordinary eyes to follow.
From the current situation, they seemed evenly matched.
But Ling Xiao saw clearly. Bai Sanshao was far stronger, only appearing equal because he was toying with Ying Wuya.
Rumors said Bai Sanshao loved playing with opponents, like a cat with a mouse, able to kill in one swipe but choosing to tease.
“Your moves are about done, right? So boring, no fun at all. Let’s end this dull fight.”
Mid-battle, Bai Sanshao yawned, his attacks suddenly turning fierce, completely overwhelming Ying Wuya.
“Great Roc Spreads Wings · Golden Light Kill!”
Ying Wuya’s face showed anger. His arms spread, his Golden-Winged Great Roc soul emitting blinding golden light, dazzling many onlookers.
It was as if a golden sun had fallen onto the arena.
“Child’s play!”
Bai Sanshao sneered, his figure turning into a white beam, kicking Ying Wuya in the chest, sending him flying off the stage.
“Pfft!”
Ying Wuya spat blood, eyes dazed.
His physical injuries weren’t severe, but the psychological blow was heavy.
“Hahaha, Eastern Three Sects’ disciples are trash, not one worth a fight!”
Bai Sanshao laughed heartily, walking off the stage.
Hearing this, Ying Wuya’s dazed eyes cleared.
“Bai Sanshao, I’m no match for you, but someone in the Eastern Three Sects will deal with you.”
Ying Wuya thought of Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao had already dealt him a heavy blow, forging his fragile heart. He wasn’t one to sink easily.
“You mean Jian Wuji? Sorry to tell you, Jian Wuji left Jianwang Sect. He’s now with Tianlong Academy!”
Bai Sanshao didn’t dare underestimate Jian Wuji.
“Not him, someone else.”
Ying Wuya looked at Ling Xiao. The Eastern Three Sects’ honor rested on him.
“That Yuehua Sect’s top core disciple? Heh, beating Yan Liehuo is nice, but you think I’d fear him? Truth is, even Zhai Jun and Feng Moting aren’t my match now.”
Bai Sanshao sneered.
“So what?”
Ying Wuya asked with a smile.
“What do you mean?”
“If you fear even Jian Wuji, you’ll definitely lose to him.”
Ying Wuya smiled faintly, returning to his seat with Beast King Palace disciples’ help.
Many in the crowd followed the fight, sparking discussions.
“Bai Sanshao’s strength seems greater than before. Was he twenty-ninth or thirtieth last time? Whatever, he seems stronger than nineteenth-ranked Feng Moting.”
“Ying Wuya isn’t weak, but he met Bai Sanshao. Are the Eastern Three Sects’ disciples just a flash in the pan? Is Ling Xiao too?”
“Didn’t you hear Ying Wuya? Ling Xiao’s strength might surpass Jian Wuji’s.”
“Bragging, who can’t do that? No tax on it.”
“Enough, do you think Bai Sanshao can make the ‘Tianjiao’ list this time?”
“Probably close. There are twenty Tianjiao spots. Last time’s top ten are too strong, none will drop. That leaves ten spots to fight for. Bai Sanshao’s stronger than Feng Moting, so he’s likely in, but at the bottom.”
“True, this festival’s finals have new faces and some who weren’t prominent last time but have grown. Making the top twenty Tianjiao is tough.”
“Right, Shengzi, Mo Wushang, Bai Qianjiao, Liu Taiyin, Hong Sanmei, Jian Wuji, Qin Bixue, Li Xuefeng, Dai Yaoling, Dao Wuming are in a league of their own. No one can shake them. The other ten spots are up for grabs.”
“Hey, don’t forget Bishui Divine Palace’s Hong Li. She’s stronger than her senior sister Bai Qianjiao. Call her eleventh, leaving nine spots.”
“And Tianlong Academy’s Feng Yaorao and Po Qianjun. They’ll take two spots. In the combat test, one lit ninety-eight golden lamps, the other ninety-six!”
