Qin Bixue was far stronger now than when he faced Mo Wushang, Bai Qianjiao, or even Ji Mingkong.
His strength had increased at least tenfold.
This was the vast gap between the Mortal Realm and the Heaven-Human Realm.
Yet, looking at Ling Xiao in the stands, his expression remained unchanged, still utterly calm, as if Qin Bixue’s power meant nothing to him.
While unleashing his killing move, Qin Bixue shouted, “Ling Xiao! You’re strong, I’ll admit that much, which I didn’t expect. But next, you won’t touch a single hair on me, and I’ll crush you completely with this move!”
Boom!
The terrifying blood thunder struck the arena. The newly repaired stage couldn’t withstand the assault, splitting into countless winding cracks with electric sparks flickering within.
Pfft!
The protective barrier was pierced, a gash torn open.
The referees, not daring to delay, rushed to repair it.
No one had anticipated that this Martial Arts Festival’s finals would produce such exceptionally powerful young warriors.
Though they still fell short of legends like Yu Xuanyue or Ji Fuling from years past, their level was astonishing.
Below, countless young warriors of Qin Bixue’s age wore expressions of helplessness and frustration.
They hadn’t expected Qin Bixue, after ascending to the Heaven-Human Realm, to be this terrifying, like a demon king wielding a blood thunder saber.
“He really didn’t use his full strength against me,” Long Chen said with a bitter smile.
When he lost to Qin Bixue, it hadn’t been a crushing defeat; on the surface, they seemed evenly matched.
But now, it was clear Qin Bixue had held back. Otherwise, he could have won in ten moves.
Floating in midair, Qin Bixue exuded dominance, looking down at Ling Xiao with a smug smile, “Ling Xiao, surrender. You have no chance against this move. Below the Holy Son, I, Qin Bixue, stand alone!”
“You’re right. Below the Holy Son, you’re indeed the strongest,” Ling Xiao said, dodging the falling blood thunder with Cloud Dragon Divine Movement while casually chatting. “But I’m above the Holy Son. Ji Mingkong is no match for me.”
“What the hell? Has Ling Xiao lost his mind? He’s clearly at a disadvantage against Qin Bixue, yet he dares claim to surpass the Holy Son’s strength?”
“I think so too. Unless he’s hiding something, at this rate, he’s bound to lose.”
The situation on the arena was straightforward: Qin Bixue was unleashing his killing move, while Ling Xiao was “desperately” dodging and fleeing.
No wonder the audience doubted Ling Xiao’s strength.
Even on Yuehua Sect’s side, figures like Golden Light Heavenly Lord, Sky Eye Heavenly Lord, and Broad Cold Heavenly Lord showed worry.
At this point, Ling Xiao had already done more than enough.
Even losing to a formidable opponent like Qin Bixue was no shame. Their only hope was that he wouldn’t push himself too far and end up severely injured, which would be too costly.
Yet Lan Yuer, Dai Yuling, and Leng Hao, the younger disciples, showed no concern, only excitement.
They believed Ling Xiao was far stronger than Qin Bixue.
“Tch, looks like I need to enter Human-Dragon Form. Otherwise, I really can’t handle this Qin Bixue,” Ling Xiao muttered, mid-dodge. A clear dragon’s roar rang out, and golden light pierced through the blood light’s shroud.
Ling Xiao, now in Human-Dragon Form, stood tall.
“I’ll use the Tenth Form. A Sky Vein Warrior’s strength is too far below the Heaven-Human Realm. I can’t afford to be careless.”
Ling Xiao wouldn’t underestimate Qin Bixue, so he entered the Tenth Human-Dragon Form. A terrifying aura burst forth, repelling the frenzied blood thunder and shattering it.
“What!” Qin Bixue was visibly shocked, hastily dodging the rebounding attacks.
His surprise stemmed from the fact that Ling Xiao had only now used a transformation. He hadn’t anticipated Ling Xiao had such capabilities.
In the stands, the Blood Saber Sect Master was stunned, his eyes fixed on Ling Xiao, as if trying to see through the young man completely.
“Is this your full strength?” Qin Bixue demanded sharply, dodging Ling Xiao’s counterattack.
“Well, sort of,” Ling Xiao replied.
Sort of?
The audience inwardly cursed. Just how strong was this guy? What else was he hiding?
“Damn it, show your full strength now, or you won’t get another chance,” Qin Bixue said, furious that Ling Xiao was underestimating him, not even using his full power in their fight.
It was unacceptable.
“Actually, that’s what I should be saying to you,” Ling Xiao said. In his Tenth Human-Dragon Form, he clearly felt Qin Bixue’s aura being suppressed.
Was this the majesty of the dragon race? Truly formidable.
“Arrogant!” Qin Bixue had no more tricks to hide. He had unleashed his full strength, so his next attacks could only repeat earlier moves.
As Qin Bixue closed in, Ling Xiao shook his head, “You’re too disappointing. Since you have no new killing moves, I see no need to use stronger techniques against you—Shadow Transformation Sword Art: Sword Demon Descent!”
The same move, but twice as powerful!
This was the effect of Human-Dragon Form.
Qin Bixue watched helplessly as the thirteen humanoid sword energies struck his body repeatedly.
Once!
Twice!
By the ninth strike, he spat blood, flying backward like a kite with a cut string.
The thirteen sword energies hadn’t even fully unleashed, and Qin Bixue was already defeated.
It happened so suddenly.
Many in the audience found it surreal.
How could Ling Xiao, who moments ago was fleeing from Qin Bixue’s pursuit, defeat him with a single move?
With his victory, Ling Xiao absorbed Qin Bixue’s luck, bringing his ninth cauldron from seventy to ninety percent, matching Ji Mingkong exactly.
“You bastard, you dare steal my luck!” Qin Bixue roared like a madman, charging toward the arena.
“If you come up, I’ll kill you!” Ling Xiao’s icy voice rang out, not joking in the slightest.
Qin Bixue recalled the night of Jian Wuji’s death, a chill gripping his heart.
After two steps, he stopped abruptly and shouted at Ling Xiao, “Don’t think defeating me makes you worthy to challenge the Holy Son. In her presence, you’re nothing!”
“Is that so? No need for you to worry about that. When I defeat her later, you’ll see who’s truly stronger,” Ling Xiao replied calmly.
