After the tremendous roar, wild energy scattered everywhere.
The entire stage resembled the sudden arrival of doomsday.
Gales raged.
Lightning flashed.
Torrents poured down.
Poisonous mist spread.
Amid it all, dragon roars echoed intermittently, and the ground trembled nonstop.
“Oh no, the arena is sinking!”
The arena was built in midair, so logically it shouldn’t sink.
But the collision between Ling Xiao and Ji Mingkong generated overwhelming impact force, and with the protective barrier containing it all in one spot, unable to dissipate, the concentrated power made the destruction even more terrifying.
As the stage sank, the whole arena followed.
From afar, it looked like a massive void ship crashing out of control.
Below the arena was the Holy Dynasty’s sacrificial altar, the reason the martial arts festival was held here.
Though the sinking arena wouldn’t crush anyone, since no one was below, destroying the sacrificial altar was still a grave offense.
Sikong Zui revealed a faint, imperceptible sneer.
He had been pondering excuses to deal with Ling Xiao, but one had presented itself so quickly.
With the arena suffering such havoc, Ji Mingkong, at the epicentre on the stage, bore the brunt.
The frenzied energy surged toward her like madness, enveloping her completely.
Boom!
Pfft!
Crack!
Explosions rang out one after another, first slamming into the stage, accelerating the arena’s descent, then battering the protective barrier, leaving the referees maintaining it with wry smiles.
They were Transcendent Realm warriors, yet these two youngsters’ attacks instilled fear in them.
It would be embarrassing if word got out.
But it wasn’t their fault. Though Ling Xiao and Ji Mingkong were only Heavenly Human Realm warriors, their clashing attacks created a special amplification, unleashing power capable of injuring even Transcendent Realm experts.
That was the terror of energy superposition.
Of course, such energy was uncontrollable. Any sensible Transcendent Realm expert could dodge or defend against it.
Ling Xiao’s back unfurled golden light dragon wings, his face showing some gravity.
Even he hadn’t anticipated the collision’s immense power. The spillover energy waves attacked indiscriminately, without distinguishing friend from foe, targeting him as well.
But fortunately, he could fly.
He also mastered array formation.
The protective barrier was formed by an array. Ling Xiao spread his golden light dragon wings, flew near the barrier, and held an array stone. The barrier split off a portion, enveloping him entirely.
The massive impacts struck the barrier, but with the referees bearing the brunt, he remained unscathed, without expending any Tianyuan energy.
“Damn, that boy’s too sly, pulling that off?” one referee gaped, smiling bitterly.
“It doesn’t seem to break rules. He hasn’t left the stage area, and he’s using his own abilities,” another referee said, smiling wryly.
“See? That’s the benefit of being well-learned. If the Saintess knew arrays, she wouldn’t be in such a mess,” the head referee sighed deeply.
By now, even he had to admire this young fellow. Pity he wasn’t his grandson, or the Holy Dynasty would truly have a worthy successor.
“I’ve always wondered, he’s just a Heavenly Human Realm warrior, how can he fly?” Qin Bixue, falling with the arena, asked through gritted teeth from the stands.
“Probably some martial technique. Such things are rare, but he got one. Compared to that, the Saintess’s Dance of the Sky falls short,” the Blood Blade Sect Master, worldly-wise, answered.
While they marvelled, the Heavenly King Sect was in chaos.
“Sect Master, things look bad. That Ling Xiao not only flies but knows array formation, using the barrier to shield himself. This puts Mingkong at a huge disadvantage. The fight’s in doubt,” a Heavenly King Sect elder lamented, as if in mourning.
“Yes, Sect Master. The situation defies our predictions. This Ling Xiao exceeds our estimates, far beyond, and it seems he hasn’t gone all out yet,” another elder said loudly.
“Quiet! If the Saintess comes to harm, I’ll make that boy pay with his life!” the Saint Emperor raged.
He had only this outstanding heir. The others were either lost to vice or incompetent daughters.
Though the Saintess was female, she outshone many men. If she met misfortune, he’d kill Ling Xiao, even if it defied the world.
He refused to believe anyone would oppose the Holy Dynasty’s royal family over Ling Xiao.
Sikong Zun frowned. “No need to worry, Saint Emperor. Mingkong isn’t easily defeated. Besides, this is the Holy City. How could a mere Moonflower Sect disciple beat the Saintess? Victory is ours to decide.”
“You mean to intervene?” the Saint Emperor asked, puzzled.
“Let’s watch. The match isn’t over yet. No rush!” Sikong Zun neither confirmed nor denied, suddenly turning to the stage.
After persisting for a while, the explosive energy in the sky finally subsided.
A figure plummeted straight down, like an uncontrolled object, rigid and unresponsive.
“Oh no, it looks like the Saintess was stunned by that force. Falling from this height without Tianyuan protection could be disastrous,” Heavenly King Sect members cried anxiously.
Whoosh!
A figure darted out, catching Ji Mingkong midair.
It was Ling Xiao!
His face bore a victor’s smile.
Seemingly unconscious, Ji Mingkong suddenly struck a palm, aiming to blast the defiling Ling Xiao away.
But her palm was feeble, powerless.
Ling Xiao seized her jade hand, his cold voice resounding across the stage, clear to all warriors present. “Ji Mingkong, you’ve disappointed me. Honestly, I wasn’t done enjoying this, yet you’ve lost.”
He had interest in the chosen one, but his main goal at the martial arts festival finals was to defeat the Saintess, toppling this arrogant woman from her radiant throne.
Ji Mingkong’s body trembled.
Lying in the arms of her most hated person, hearing his blatantly humiliating words, she was powerless.
Even without the collision, the backlash from “Jade Shatter” alone left her utterly weakened.
