Ling Xiao sheathed his qi sword and coldly turned to walk toward his seat.
Hua Yu didn’t dare act recklessly. Though favored by the Holy Emperor, he knew better than to disrespect him at such a moment. No one could save him if he did.
“This young hero, Ling Xiao, is the core disciple of the Moonlight Sect who shone brilliantly at today’s Martial Arts Festival finals, defeating Jian Wuji, one of the six young masters of the Holy Dynasty.”
In the hall, besides the twenty prodigies, there were the Holy Emperor’s heirs, several princes of the Holy Dynasty, and a few ministers.
Thus, it was only natural to introduce Ling Xiao.
After the Holy Emperor’s words, those unaware of the event showed shock on their faces.
Due to various reasons, they hadn’t attended the Martial Arts Festival finals. They knew Jian Wuji had been defeated but not by whom.
To think it was Ling Xiao, a disciple of the declining Moonlight Sect?
Many who had previously dismissed Ling Xiao and the Moonlight Sect now restrained their scorn.
Defeating Jian Wuji showed this young man’s exceptional talent. As long as he survived, he would surely become a major figure on the Tianlong Continent. It was best not to offend such a person.
Some even suspected the Holy Emperor’s friendliness toward Ling Xiao was an attempt to win him over.
“Hmph, just a mere Mortal Realm martial artist who got lucky beating Jian Wuji. The Holy Emperor overestimates him.”
The speaker was a cold-faced middle-aged man.
Ling Xiao didn’t know him or how he had offended him, so his brows furrowed slightly.
“General Sikong speaks wisely. He only defeated Jian Wuji, yet he acts so arrogant, as if no hero in the world matters. One might think he’s the top expert of the Tianlong Continent.”
Hua Yu chimed in with a smile.
“General Sikong?”
Hearing the surname, Ling Xiao understood. This man likely had ties to the Heavenly King Sect.
“General, you’re over sixty, aren’t you? Yet just a peak Heavenly Vein martial artist. Should I call you a failure?”
Ling Xiao sneered.
“You!”
General Sikong’s face flushed red.
Though harsh, Ling Xiao’s words were true.
“Hahaha, Young Hero Ling, don’t mind them. General Sikong and Hua Yu are straightforward people. Their words aren’t meant to offend. They’re just envious of your brilliance.”
The Holy Emperor stepped in as a peacemaker.
To Ling Xiao, however, it seemed the Holy Emperor was deliberately allowing Sikong and Hua Yu to provoke him.
Though unsure of the Holy Emperor’s motives, Ling Xiao’s initial good impression of him faded.
“I obey Your Majesty’s command!”
Ling Xiao, adhering to a principle of courtesy before confrontation, gave the Holy Emperor due respect.
After all, he didn’t want to offend the Holy Emperor. If he did, the Moon Lady would have to intervene, and even if she could defeat the Holy Emperor, she’d likely be injured.
Ling Xiao didn’t want her hurt.
“Come, let’s not dwell on unpleasant words. Raise your glasses. Today’s banquet is to honor the future hopes of the Holy Dynasty, the twenty prodigies!”
The Holy Emperor laughed, raising his glass.
Ling Xiao glanced at the amber-colored wine in his cup, a rare “Amber Wine” made from precious materials, exclusive to the Holy Dynasty’s palace and not sold outside.
He lifted the cup, sniffing gently. The aroma alone was intoxicating.
The wine was tampered with!
Ling Xiao was shocked.
The Holy Emperor would resort to such underhanded tactics to deal with him?
Was it necessary?
Puzzled, he activated his Mountain and River Martial Soul to analyze the wine and understood.
The substance wasn’t poison; it wouldn’t kill. Instead, it slowly drained a martial artist’s strength, imperceptible until combat, when it would intensify.
Clearly, someone wanted to prevent him from winning further at the Martial Arts Festival finals, resorting to such despicable means.
Was it the Holy Emperor? Or someone else?
Ling Xiao couldn’t be sure, but he had to drink the wine. Refusing would disrespect the Holy Emperor, causing greater trouble.
Fortunately, his immunity to poisons meant this weakening agent couldn’t harm him.
With that, he downed the wine.
The toxins in one cup were limited, and he neutralized them quickly. But as he prepared to excuse himself, General Sikong stood.
“Young Hero Ling, I was rude earlier. This cup is my toast to you!”
His attitude suddenly turned friendly.
But Ling Xiao knew better. Sikong likely thought one cup’s toxins weren’t enough and wanted him to drink more.
The wine’s issue was undoubtedly linked to General Sikong.
“Your toast? You’re not worthy!”
Ling Xiao gave Sikong a cold glance, refusing the offered cup.
His voice was icy and indifferent, showing no respect.
“Though I’m just a humble Moonlight Sect disciple, I’m still better than a parasite of the Holy Dynasty like you!”
His words were sharp.
And not unfounded.
Upon hearing Sikong’s surname, Ling Xiao recalled Lin Ze’s words about a “drunken general” named Sikong Zui. This man had no military achievements, indulged in debauchery, yet rose steadily.
His status far surpassed Lin Ze’s.
From seizing women to colluding with foreigners and framing loyal subjects, Sikong Zui had done every despicable act a corrupt official could.
With his brothers, Sikong Zun and Sikong Xuan, backing him, he had provoked nearly everyone in the Holy City except the royal family.
Thinking of this, Ling Xiao felt nauseated.
Poison or not, he wouldn’t toast such a man.
Sikong Zui’s face darkened.
He had mocked Ling Xiao as a mere Moonlight Sect disciple, yet now, offering a toast, he was deemed unworthy.
Did this mean Sikong Zui, a general of the Holy Dynasty, was lower than a Moonlight Sect disciple?
Utter humiliation.
Many in the hall smirked, watching the drama unfold, unbothered as it didn’t concern them.
But Long Chen, for one, was sweating for Ling Xiao.
To speak so boldly to a general in front of the Holy Emperor, his “Brother Ling” was truly audacious, though Long Chen admired it.
He didn’t know Ling Xiao had no choice.
The wine’s drug was potent. One cup required significant Heavenly Essence to neutralize. Another would truly poison him.
In such a situation, Ling Xiao had no option but to confront Sikong Zui head-on.
