What met the eye was a massive ghostly face.
Lifeless and沉沉, it instilled an overwhelming sense of fear.
This fear pierced straight into the depths of Ling Yun’s soul, making his entire body shudder involuntarily.
He couldn’t comprehend how Ling Xiao had managed to withstand this spear thrust earlier.
“Thunderstrike Sword!”
At the critical moment, Ling Yun didn’t dare hold anything back.
He channelled all his qi, unleashing his sword intent in an attempt to counter that terrifying soul attack.
With this strike, a faint rumble of thunder sounded, and the longsword sparked with pale blue flickers, as if it had absorbed lightning itself.
The Thunderstrike Sword was a top-tier sword technique.
This strike had undoubtedly reached the Mastery Realm.
One thrust, and aside from Ling Xiao, no one else could possibly withstand it, it could be said this was Ling Yun’s most fearsome attack, unleashed under immense pressure.
Yet it was useless.
Against Ling Feifan’s spear thrust, this sword strike was like a child’s plaything.
That sensation of being utterly dominated made him so wretched he spat blood.
He couldn’t understand.
How could someone as powerful as Ling Feifan lose to Ling Xiao!
Before Ling Feifan, he was nothing but an ant!
Clang!
The spear and sword clashed.
Purple-black flames met pale blue lightning, producing a sound like something screaming hysterically.
Ling Yun held on for only a moment before his body was suddenly sent flying backwards.
Though he barely stopped at the edge of the stage, he couldn’t stand steady, blood streaming from his mouth.
“I’m useless? Then what does that make you, who couldn’t even take one move from me?”
Ling Feifan vented nearly all his anger towards Ling Xiao onto Ling Yun.
It was fortunate his strength was heavily depleted, otherwise this thrust would have left Ling Yun gravely injured.
“Ling Feifan defeats Ling Yun, temporarily taking second place, Ling Yun loses his ranking.”
“Good heavens, Ling Feifan took down Ling Yun with one move, it’s not that he’s weak, it’s that Ling Xiao is just too terrifying!”
Some had previously wondered if Ling Feifan’s strength had waned, perhaps unable to even rank in the top three.
But this duel made it crystal clear, it wasn’t that Ling Feifan was weak, it was that Ling Xiao was too strong.
Ling Shisan’s expression grew even uglier.
Both his sons, one, Ling Feng, crippled by Ling Xiao in the elimination rounds.
The other, Ling Yun, though not defeated by Ling Xiao’s hand, the blow to his spirit undoubtedly stemmed from Ling Xiao.
How had that little beggar grown to this extent today?
He was genuinely starting to fear.
If he didn’t find a chance to eliminate Ling Xiao, he worried he’d end up killed by him instead.
…
After Ling Feifan challenged Ling Yun, Ling Yun immediately challenged Ling Shuang and won.
The challenges continued in this fashion.
By the final round.
The rankings were mostly set, Ling Xiao first, Ling Feifan second, Ling Yun third, Ling Yihang fourth, Ling Shuang fifth, Ling Yixue sixth, Ling Zhan seventh, Ling Xiaopeng and Ling Dapeng eighth and ninth respectively.
Ling Yihang had challenged Ling Yun but lost, though his blade skills were formidable, Ling Yun’s superior technique and powerful sword intent were no trifling matter.
Though a few still had unused challenge opportunities in this round, they all chose to forfeit.
After the first four challenges, it was clear who was strong and who was weak, further challenges would be a waste of time and meaningless.
No one wanted to do something pointless.
“Good! The finals conclude here, next, Clan Leader Ling Xiaotian will announce the rewards!”
Ling Xiaotian smiled, slowly rising from his seat.
Though he didn’t deliberately release his aura, the presence of a peak Martial Vein Seventh Layer martial artist at the qi-bursting stage still radiated outwards.
It was as formidable as a terrifying peak Level Seven beast from the Fulong Mountain Range.
Many disciples below the stage trembled involuntarily.
Even Ling Feifan and Ling Yun showed expressions of awe.
But Ling Xiao’s face held only respect, no fear.
Respect because this Clan Leader was fairly just, and no fear not because of his own strength, but because he’d seen a terrifying peak Level Eight beast, and even a blue-clad woman who killed such a beast with a single finger.
So, a powerhouse of Ling Xiaotian’s level didn’t intimidate him as much.
Moreover, his current combat strength alone was enough to contend with an Early Martial Vein Sixth Layer martial artist.
And the depth of his qi rivalled that of a Martial Vein Seventh Layer martial artist.
If he wished, catching up to Ling Xiaotian was only a matter of time.
And that time wouldn’t be long at all.
Ling Xiaotian’s gaze swept over the disciples in an instant, his voice booming like a bell, “I’ll only announce the rewards for the top three here, the rest will be posted on the notice board, you can check them carefully later.”
No one objected to this.
Valuing the top three was a long-standing Ling family tradition.
“Third place, you may choose one top-tier martial skill, two advanced martial skills, plus a reward of one qi pill!”
“Second place, you may choose one top-tier martial skill, three advanced martial skills, plus a reward of two qi pills!”
“First place, you may choose three top-tier martial skills, gain unrestricted access to the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion, with no limit on selecting advanced martial skills, receive ten qi pills, and additionally, obtain a common-grade treasure weapon! Your status will equal that of a Ling family elder, with numerous privileges!”
Hearing Ling Xiaotian announce the first-place rewards, Ling Xiao knew his choice had been right.
First place was clearly far more richly rewarded than second or third.
Compared to the rumoured rewards from before, this was noticeably more generous.
Beyond the top-tier martial skills Ling Xiao valued most, there were ten qi pills, and a status equal to an elder within the clan.
That was impressive, it meant that from now on, even when facing Ling Shisan or Ling Jiu, he could stand as their equal.
No wonder Ling Feifan had been so arrogant before.
The privileges of being first in the Hall of Geniuses were simply too numerous.
“Good, aside from the top three, everyone else can collect their rewards from the storehouse, second and third place will receive their qi pills on the spot, the rest of the rewards will be sorted out later, no need to worry.”
“For first place, aside from receiving the qi pills now, you’ll also get a special elder token, the remaining rewards, since they involve choices, will be handled afterwards.”
With that, Ling Xiaotian concluded the reward announcement.
As the champion, Ling Xiao received ten qi pills and a token signifying his elder-equivalent status.
As for the top-tier martial skill rewards, he could pick them up from the Scripture Pavilion later.
“First place, so enviable, these rewards are just too lavish, not only three top-tier martial skills, but also a common-grade treasure weapon and an elder-status token, tsk tsk.”
“Indeed, Ling Xiao’s hit the jackpot this time!”
“What jackpot? He earned that first place with real skill.”
The crowd below naturally envied Ling Xiao greatly.
Ling Feifan stared at Ling Xiao, grinding his teeth, clearly vowing to reclaim everything that was his.
Ling Yun’s face was even darker, this competition had dealt him a heavy blow, not only losing easily to Ling Feifan, but being left far behind by Ling Xiao, let alone avenging his brother Ling Feng, he’d utterly lost face.
