For someone as spineless as Qin Bixue, Ling Xiao had never had any respect.
With Qin Bixue’s talent, he was not inferior to the Holy Son. Though he lost today, he could surpass him in the future. Yet, this man willingly chose to be the Holy Son’s dog, which was truly contemptible.
After Ling Xiao defeated Qin Bixue, the audience lost interest in the other matches. The only thing they wanted to see was the showdown between Ling Xiao and Holy Son Ji Mingkong.
Even as the eighteenth round continued, many grew restless with anticipation.
When the final round began, the audience was still on edge.
But the referees, as if deliberately teasing the crowd, placed Ling Xiao’s match against Ji Mingkong as the last of the round.
Now, aside from first and second place, all other rankings were settled.
Qin Bixue was third;
Bai Qianjiao was fourth;
Mo Wushang was fifth;
Long Chen was sixth!
Together with Ji Mingkong and Ling Xiao, these were the new Six Young Masters of the Holy Dynasty.
Lan Yuer, by a stroke of luck, secured ninth place. Though hard-won, making the top ten thrilled the Yuehua Sect.
Golden Light Heavenly Lord even wept with joy.
“Ling Xiao should take second place. This Martial Arts Festival has truly put our Yuehua Sect in the spotlight. Ling Xiao second, Lan Yuer ninth, Dai Yuling twenty-fourth, and Leng Hao fifty-second. Four spots in the top hundred,” Sky Eye Heavenly Lord remarked with emotion.
“Yes, if only Ling Xiao could defeat Ji Mingkong, that would be perfect,” Broad Cold Heavenly Lord said, harboring a small ambition.
“That might be tough. You’ve all seen Ji Mingkong’s fights. Her dominance is far above everyone else. Beating her is almost a fantasy,” Sky Eye Heavenly Lord said with a bitter smile.
“Though I have great faith in Ling Xiao, defeating Ji Mingkong is indeed too difficult,” Golden Light Heavenly Lord agreed.
Regardless of their worries, the Martial Arts Festival finals had come down to this final match.
On one side was Ling Xiao, on the other, Ji Mingkong.
Ling Xiao, the greatest dark horse of this festival, had fought his way through, remaining undefeated. His record matched Ji Mingkong’s exactly, as did his points and luck.
His strength seemed unfathomable, always hiding something.
Each battle brought a surprise, an upset.
When people thought he couldn’t do it, he displayed astonishingly terrifying power.
Even Qin Bixue, at the First Heaven Realm, was brought down by Ling Xiao, a shocking outcome.
As for Holy Son Ji Mingkong, no introduction was needed. She was the champion of the last Martial Arts Festival, the leader of the Six Young Masters.
She defeated every opponent with ease.
Her cultivation had reached the early stage of the Two Elements Heaven Realm, earning her the awe of all.
“Before this match begins, shouldn’t Your Highness the Holy Son announce our bet?” Ling Xiao said, in no rush to take the stage, as the arena was still under frantic repairs, making it impossible to start.
“Bet? What bet?” The audience was puzzled.
Ling Xiao was merely a disciple of Yuehua Sect, while the Holy Son was set to inherit the Holy Emperor’s throne. What kind of bet could exist between them?
Few knew of this matter, as the bet was made privately between Ling Xiao and the Holy Son.
Back at Yuehua Sect, hardly anyone was aware of it.
Ling Xiao needed to make it public, lest Ji Mingkong lose and refuse to honor it, leaving him with little recourse.
“I didn’t expect you’d dare bring up that bet. I thought you’d be too scared to mention it,” Ji Mingkong sneered, rising from her seat and declaring loudly, “My bet with Ling Xiao is simple. If he loses, he will face the Holy Emperor’s judgment in public for killing Sword King Sect disciples and become my servant for life!”
Ling Xiao picked up the thread, “If the Holy Son loses, the Holy Dynasty will no longer pursue the Sword King Sect matter, and the Holy Son will serve as my maid! Though I’m not fond of such a maid, one more won’t hurt.”
What!
The bet’s terms stunned the entire audience. It was audacious.
Regardless of who won or lost, for Ling Xiao to make such a bet with the Holy Son showed complete disregard for the Holy Dynasty’s royal family and Tianwang Gate.
In the stands, countless Tianwang Gate disciples glared angrily at the green-robed youth near the arena.
Initially, they were unfamiliar with Ling Xiao.
But as the Martial Arts Festival progressed, no one could remain ignorant of him.
The greatest dark horse of this festival, who dared underestimate him?
At the start, most mentioned his name with disdain and mockery.
A mere disciple of Yuehua Sect, a bottom-ranked sect among the twelve, what could he do? How dare he provoke their core disciple, Dao Wuming?
Now, their scorn had turned to anger and intense jealousy.
Who was the Holy Son?
Since her identity as a woman was revealed, she was not only the lofty Holy Son but also the goddess in the hearts of countless disciples across the twelve sects.
Most Tianwang Gate disciples rarely had a chance to interact with her, not just because of her proud and aloof nature but also due to her unparalleled noble birth on Tianlong Continent.
Yet this woman, so out of reach, had made a bet with Ling Xiao. If she lost, she would become his maid.
The very thought sparked intense jealousy.
Though this jealousy was somewhat bizarre and warped.
This led nearly all Tianwang Gate disciples to view Ling Xiao with deep disdain.
When speaking of him, they spared no effort in sarcasm and criticism, as if they wouldn’t stop until they tore him down completely.
It was as if Ling Xiao had stolen their wives or daughters.
Facing the collective contempt and anger from Tianwang Gate disciples, Ling Xiao’s face remained calm and composed, wearing a serene smile.
Seeing this, disciples from other sects secretly gave Ling Xiao a thumbs-up.
Not only had he fought his way to the final match of the Martial Arts Festival, but he also fulfilled their hidden desires to defy the Holy Son.
“Hey, he’s a role model for our generation! To dare flirt with the Holy Son, impressive, impressive!” Some roguish disciples from other sects, imagining who-knows-what from the bet, laughed oddly.
Ji Mingkong looked at Ling Xiao from a distance.
She loathed him to the core.
“The bet has been announced to the world, and the arena is nearly repaired. Can we start our fight now?” Ji Mingkong said to Ling Xiao.
