Jian Wuji’s sword qi struck the dragon scales, shattering into countless specks of light.
Ling Xiao continued advancing, the surrounding spiritual energy gathering around him.
Behind him, a pitch-black dragon appeared, its terrifying black-gold flames roiling fiercely.
“Boom!”
The flames morphed into a dragon and lunged at Jian Wuji.
Its speed was blinding, its power immense.
Jian Wuji blocked hastily, but the fire dragon engulfed him, his body emitting a scorched stench.
Everyone stared at Ling Xiao in shock.
What kind of person was this, commanding the elements to serve him without the aid of fortune, yet reducing Jian Wuji to such a state?
His fighting spirit surged.
His killing intent permeated the air.
At that moment, Ling Xiao was a living demon god, invincible and untouchable.
Jian Wuji panicked.
His face darkened again. Despite the Nine Cauldrons’ Fortune and the palace array, he was still no match for Ling Xiao.
Looking at him, Ling Xiao said calmly, “You had a chance to live. I didn’t fight you because I was afraid, but because you weren’t worthy. Yet you lack self-awareness. Now, I’ll make sure you perish completely!”
Ling Xiao moved slowly.
He walked leisurely, but to Jian Wuji, he was terrifyingly fast, as if no retreat could escape Ling Xiao’s lock.
“Die, and join your master in hell!”
His cold voice echoed through the palace, making many think a dozen Ling Xiaos had appeared.
It was his sheer speed.
He didn’t use his sword soul clone; his velocity alone left a dozen afterimages, giving the illusion he hadn’t moved.
To Jian Wuji, Ling Xiao came with terrifying killing intent, like an unconquerable demon god.
He lost even the courage to flee.
A fierce sword qi invaded his body, ravaging it wildly.
He felt his body disintegrating, starting with his formed heavenly veins.
“Not fear, but disdain. He thought Jian Wuji unworthy!”
The onlookers, seeing Jian Wuji’s figure torn apart by sword qi, recalled Ling Xiao’s earlier words.
Now, Ling Xiao was stronger, more mysterious, and more fearsome than during the day.
Some martial artists felt a profound sense of powerlessness, as if no effort could surpass this youth.
Against Jian Wuji earlier, Ling Xiao used a single technique.
Now, without any technique, just his martial soul and terrifying sword intent, he had obliterated Jian Wuji.
As they say, don’t court death, and you won’t die.
Jian Wuji brought this on himself. The banquet had nothing to do with him, yet he challenged Ling Xiao, tantamount to suicide.
“This guy’s too terrifying!”
Li Xuefeng trembled, “Thankfully, I never crossed him.”
“Indeed, only the Holy Son, Mo Wushang, or Qin Bixue might stand a chance against him.”
Dai Yaoling shook, recalling how she pestered Ling Xiao earlier, now filled with dread.
Mo Wushang’s heart clenched.
He’d thought Jian Wuji had the advantage fighting Ling Xiao now, but it wasn’t an advantage—it was suicide.
He wasn’t sure he could beat Ling Xiao anymore. His confidence dropped from ninety percent to seventy.
Hua Yu was terrified.
Seeing Jian Wuji vanish completely, he glimpsed his own doom.
Ling Xiao had killed Jian Wuji so easily, despite being poisoned. What was going on?
Did he not drink?
No, impossible!
Then he was immune to the poison, or it was too slow to act?
Whatever the reason, Hua Yu felt doomed, trembling like a sieve, icy cold.
Ling Xiao was coming for him next. How could he fight?
Three bronze cauldrons slowly formed behind Ling Xiao, and he felt his heavenly essence flow more smoothly.
This must be the Nine Cauldrons’ Fortune’s direct effect.
Legend said a single cauldron’s fortune brought benefits like immunity to cultivation mishaps.
“Ling Xiao, you’re too bold! This is the palace, with His Majesty and the Holy Son present. You dare kill Jian Wuji? You’re slapping His Majesty’s face!”
Hua Yu, too scared to fight, hoped the Holy Emperor would execute Ling Xiao on the spot, sparing him.
Ling Xiao laughed, “Scared, are you? Otherwise, why spew such shameless words?”
The life-and-death duel was approved by the Holy Emperor, yet Hua Yu used it against him, shameless and brainless.
“How am I shameless? You’re cruel and bloodthirsty! Crippling Jian Wuji wasn’t enough—you had to kill him completely. Aren’t these facts?”
Hua Yu shouted.
Ling Xiao didn’t get angry.
He smiled brightly.
“Indeed, I’m cruel and bloodthirsty! Originally, as someone close to His Majesty, I thought you’d know propriety and shame, so I wasn’t going to hold you to our agreement. But now, I’ve changed my mind. You said if I beat Jian Wuji, you’d fight me, right?”
Ling Xiao’s face showed a mocking, taunting sneer.
Hua Yu trembled, cursing himself for speaking. Why hadn’t he stayed quiet?
But now, he had to tough it out, “Fight you? Why should I? You’re just a Moonlight Sect disciple. I’m His Majesty’s man. What right do you have to challenge me?”
“What? Scared now?”
Ling Xiao looked at him coldly, his face mocking, “You challenge when you want, back out when you don’t. Who do you think I am? Your servant to order around?”
Even with the Holy Emperor present, Ling Xiao wouldn’t let Hua Yu go. This man was vicious, repeatedly provoking him.
If he didn’t deal with him, Hua Yu would likely scheme against him again.
“You’re just a servant! A dog! Your Majesty, he wants to kill me! Won’t you do something?”
Hua Yu clung to the Holy Emperor’s arm, fawning pathetically.
A man acting so obsequiously was revolting.
