“Heh heh, no one’s leaving today. That includes you lot from Elixir Villa. Join the Heavenly Justice Alliance, or you all die!” the old man sneered.
Ling Xiao suddenly laughed.
Pushing through the crowd, he stepped to the front, waving to the Elixir Villa disciples behind him. “Thank you for your kindness, but since I promised Senior Dai to safely escort you to Moonflower Sect, I won’t break my word.”
The old man’s face darkened, irritated that these people showed no fear, even competing to face death.
He loathed fearless types; it infuriated him.
“Brother Ling Xiao!” a voice called.
“No need, Sister Yaoling. Do you think this old monster can kill me? Have you forgotten the miracles I created at the Martial Arts Festival?” Ling Xiao stood firm, his aura surging.
His black hair fluttered in the wind.
The power of light coursed through him, making him glow, radiant and dazzling.
At this moment, without tapping into the energy left by the Human King, Ling Xiao’s presence rivalled any First Heaven Realm warrior.
This stunned the old man.
“Chosen One, your reputation is well-earned. But the stronger you are, the sooner I must kill you to avoid trouble!” the old man’s pupils narrowed.
Even in the Heavenly Justice Alliance, there were many talented experts, some not inferior to the Six Young Masters of the Holy Dynasty.
Yet, they kept a low profile, unknown to the outside world.
Still, in the old man’s view, none compared to Ling Xiao.
Not in cultivation, but in his aura, his fearless courage, unmatched by most.
Buzz!
A gust of wind, formed from Heavenly Essence energy, surrounded Ling Xiao, keeping Dai Yaoling and the others at bay.
“Stay back and don’t move!” Ling Xiao ordered.
He didn’t let them leave early, unsure of dangers ahead. Though the border of North Han was close, who could guarantee true allies awaited?
“Looks like you’re really asking for death!” the old man snorted, his figure flashing into a flock of black crows flying toward Ling Xiao.
Behind him loomed a giant crow’s shadow, its blood-red eyes terrifying.
“You think you can kill me? You’re not capable!” Ling Xiao stood his ground, channelling Heavenly Essence energy with the Mystery of Light, his body glowing brighter.
His Purple Lightning Sword, now devoid of electric sparks, radiated pure Crimson Sunlight, blindingly bright.
“Sword of the Sun!” Ling Xiao pushed his Heavenly Essence to the limit, holding nothing back.
He hadn’t used the Human King’s power yet. His World Eye floated in the void, seeking the enemy’s weakness for a critical strike.
That energy couldn’t be wasted; it had to be effective.
Sizzle!
The black crows burned under the intense heat, emitting a scorched stench, but Ling Xiao’s sword light weakened.
The opponent’s strength was greater. Relying solely on his own power, Ling Xiao couldn’t win.
Crimson Sun Feather Robe!
As the Sword of the Sun faded, Ling Xiao’s body flared with the Crimson Sun Feather Robe, its solar flames fully blocking the attack.
Still, the impact forced him back over ten steps before he steadied.
“Pah, still a bit lacking,” Ling Xiao spat, blood in his saliva, dissatisfied.
His cultivation was lower. No matter how strong his martial soul or techniques, the gap was hard to bridge.
He was only a Mature Heavenly Vein warrior, while his opponent was an early Three Talents Heaven warrior.
Yet, this realm barrier wasn’t insurmountable for him. He possessed the Heavenly Essence and veins of a Heaven Realm warrior.
His techniques were strong; only his cultivation lagged.
For some geniuses, realm barriers were negligible. Otherwise, what made a genius?
The Holy Son, at the Breakthrough Heavenly Vein stage, had defeated early First Heaven warriors.
Mo Wushang had done the same.
Though they only beat the weakest Heaven Realm warriors, those propped up by drugs or shortcuts, lacking solid foundations.
Even so, for most, realm barriers were vast chasms. Cross-realm challenges were no easy feat.
Even moving from Mortal Realm Eighth to Ninth was a huge hurdle.
Unless you were a genius with unique gifts, it was unthinkable.
Even smaller barriers, like early to mid-Mortal Realm Eighth, were tough for most.
Those who crossed them were called geniuses, albeit minor ones.
Crossing realm barriers earned the title of genius.
Crossing major barriers made you a great genius.
Crossing level barriers made you a supreme genius.
Ling Xiao was a supreme genius, as were the Holy Son and Mo Wushang, though differences existed among them, just not finely categorised.
“Truly troublesome!” the old man frowned, seeing his attack hadn’t seriously injured Ling Xiao.
Not even a light injury, just a split lip, if that counted.
“There’s more trouble to come!” Ling Xiao grinned. “Didn’t your master tell you I defeated the early Two Principles Heaven Holy Son at the Martial Arts Festival and injured the Cave Heaven Realm Sikong Xuan? He didn’t send you to recruit me; he sent you to die.”
After clashing, Ling Xiao grew more confident.
Though defeating the old man with his own strength was impossible, surviving a hundred moves was within reach.
This gave him time to find weaknesses.
Unbeknownst to him, his performance had already shaken the Heaven Realm warrior.
The old man had assumed Ling Xiao’s regression to Mortal Realm at the festival made him an easy target. Now, it didn’t matter.
“Troublesome either way,” he muttered.
“Don’t get cocky, kid. I was careless, using less than sixty percent of my strength. Let’s see how many moves you can take next!” the old man, a seasoned fighter, regained his composure despite his shock.
