“Stop bluffing. I admit you’re strong, enough to make a mid-Three Talents Heaven warrior like me feel death’s threat. But facing four of us alone? That’s suicide,” Duan Yun said, trying to keep his side’s morale high.
Ling Xiao said nothing. He stepped forward, unleashing his sword intent. The terrifying aura, laced with a bloody killing intent, made Duan Yun feel as if he stood on a corpse-strewn battlefield.
“Impressive. A complete sword intent. No wonder a mere Heaven Meridian warrior like you is so powerful, even threatening me,” Duan Yun said, recognising the flawless, fearsome sword intent enveloping Ling Xiao. It was as if Ling Xiao had become a sharp blade piercing toward him.
“Blood Skeleton underestimated him,” Duan Yun thought, with a sigh. The matter had nothing to do with him, but to curry favour with Blood Skeleton, he took it on, expecting an easy task. He never imagined facing a swordsman with complete sword intent.
Strictly speaking, a swordsman without sword intent was merely a warrior wielding a sword. The gap in attack power and swordsmanship was immense.
“I can’t possibly be unable to block a Heaven Meridian warrior,” Duan Yun thought, his fear growing as Ling Xiao’s sword drew closer.
Something was off. Duan Yun suddenly sensed Ling Xiao’s surging aura. This wasn’t a Heaven Meridian warrior but a Heaven-Man Realm warrior. A Heaven-Man Realm warrior with complete sword intent, even at mid-First Heaven, had devastating killing power that ordinary warriors couldn’t withstand.
“Die,” Ling Xiao said, his figure vanishing.
In that moment, Duan Yun’s heart froze. An opponent disappearing in battle was the deadliest threat.
Shadow Armour. Since mastering it, Ling Xiao hadn’t used this move. Today was a test.
Over a mere two or three metres, even Duan Yun could only shield his vitals in time. A dazzling sword light struck his body, its searing sword qi piercing his immortal-grade fan.
“Impossible,” Duan Yun thought, unable to believe another immortal-grade weapon could so easily penetrate his own.
“Weapons are just tools. True strength comes from within,” Ling Xiao’s cold voice rang in Duan Yun’s ear. The same immortal-grade weapon wielded by different hands varied in power.
Sadly, Duan Yun realised this too late. The blade’s icy edge carried scorching heat. He felt his heart shrivelling.
“Almost forgot, his life is yours,” Ling Xiao said, kicking Duan Yun, still barely alive, to Ji Mingkong.
“Thanks,” Ji Mingkong said, her sword flashing to sever Duan Yun’s head, easing her anger.
The red-robed warrior’s face turned ashen. He thought Duan Yun’s presence ensured his safety, that revenge was certain, that Ling Xiao wouldn’t dare kill Divine Phoenix Academy disciples. He thought wrong on every count.
“Despairing? You brought this on yourself. If you’d left quietly, you wouldn’t die,” Ling Xiao said, his voice chilling.
His sword reached the red-robed warrior’s throat, the tip drawing blood. With a slight push, Ling Xiao could end him.
Feeling death’s terror, the red-robed warrior knelt. “No, you can’t kill me. You know the rules here. Disciples from the two academies can fight, but killing is forbidden,” he stammered, his voice distorted by fear.
“You know the Tianyuan Pagoda’s rules?” Ling Xiao’s words plunged the warrior into despair. “One rule forbids interfering with warriors cultivating in private rooms. What did you do?”
“Not me. It was Blood Skeleton. I didn’t act,” the warrior said, deflecting blame on death’s edge.
“Who called Blood Skeleton?” Ling Xiao’s voice grew colder.
“Yes, it was me. But even if we disturbed your cultivation, you’re fine. If you kill here, the consequences will be huge. You might never return,” the warrior said, swallowing hard.
“Fine? You harassed and tormented my Senior Sister for over a month. You call that fine?” Ling Xiao’s sword pierced an inch deeper, blood dripping faster. “Killing you is just taking a scumbag’s worthless life. That’s what matters.”
Ling Xiao took a deep breath. “One hair of my Senior Sister is worth more than a hundred of your pathetic lives.”
“Ling Xiao, don’t be rash. An eye for an eye solves nothing. Make peace. Killing him gains you nothing,” Mo Wushang shouted, frowning.
“Mind yourself. Will you two cripple your cultivation or die by my sword?” Ling Xiao said coldly.
“This isn’t Tianlong Continent or the Holy Dynasty. Killing Divine Phoenix Academy disciples is a massive deal. You’ll regret it,” Qin Bixue said.
“Regret? I, Ling Xiao, never regret my actions, good or bad. Even if I die for it, I did it. What’s to regret?” Ling Xiao glanced at Qin Bixue, once a fierce swordsman, now someone’s lackey, a pitiful fall.
“You’re not afraid of Blood Skeleton?” Mo Wushang asked loudly.
“Blood Skeleton?” Ling Xiao hadn’t heard the name, though the red-robed warrior mentioned it. He looked to Feng Yanran for an answer.
“Blood Skeleton is a top-twenty elite at Divine Phoenix Academy. His strength is formidable,” Feng Yanran said, cautioning him. She didn’t want Ling Xiao provoking Blood Skeleton but knew his temperament. No one could sway him. She could only state the stakes and let him decide.
