Many onlookers thought Ling Xiao was too arrogant. Did he think Qingxu Academy’s protection let him act so recklessly? Even the security teachers were puzzled. This was a time to de-escalate. Apologise to Blood Skeleton, let them apply pressure, and he might back off. He only wanted a way to save face. Why provoke him further?
But on reflection, Ling Xiao’s words made sense. Yet sense didn’t matter in this world; strength did.
Ling Xiao couldn’t hear their thoughts, but even if he did, he wouldn’t care. Staring at Blood Skeleton, he said, “I heard you broke the Tianyuan Pagoda’s rules, placing a secret technique scroll on our cultivation room’s stone door, and threatened to kill us to avenge your worthless brother-in-law. You’ve done this to me, yet expect me to save your face? Tell me, Blood Skeleton, is your head full of tofu dregs or piss? Your stupidity makes me pity Divine Phoenix Academy.”
The crowd nodded. Logically, his words were sound, and they secretly thought Blood Skeleton’s one-sided actions were shameless and domineering. But with his strength, what did logic matter?
Blood Skeleton sneered disdainfully. “Even if you’re right, so what? You don’t give me face, you die.”
“Is that so?” Ling Xiao shook his head lightly. “I’ve seen self-righteous people, but you outdo them all. Who gave you this arrogance? Do you really think you’ve got me?”
“Killing you is like slaughtering a dog,” Blood Skeleton said coldly.
Ling Xiao sighed. “Call you self-righteous, and you double down. I’ll be honest: even without Qingxu Academy’s protection, you can’t kill me. Try if you don’t believe me.”
“You all heard him?” Blood Skeleton sneered, glancing at the security teachers and the watching warriors.
“Is Ling Xiao mad? Without Qingxu Academy’s protection, what is he?” one onlooker said.
“He thinks killing Duan Yun makes him invincible?” another added.
“Heard he’s the Chosen One of Tianlong Continent. Has that title gone to his head?” another scoffed.
Most dismissed Ling Xiao’s words, believing he relied on the academy’s protection. But Feng Yanran and Ji Mingkong thought differently. Ling Xiao’s actions defied common sense, often leading to shocking outcomes.
“Hahaha, kid, dare to step out of Qingxu Academy?” Blood Skeleton laughed.
“Stepping out is easy, but why should I listen to you?” Ling Xiao said, smiling.
“You’re all talk, but words mean nothing,” Blood Skeleton mocked.
“Yeah, step out if you’ve got the guts,” a Divine Phoenix Academy warrior shouted.
“Show some courage, don’t be a turtle hiding in its shell,” another jeered.
“I said I’d step out, but if you can’t kill me, what then? I’m not doing it for nothing,” Ling Xiao said. He wouldn’t act without gain.
“You think highly of yourself,” Blood Skeleton sneered. “With my Five Elements Heaven cultivation, crushing you is easier than crushing a chicken.”
“Then what’s wrong with offering something? Afraid you can’t kill me and lose both face and goods?” Ling Xiao challenged.
“Does he have a trump card?” one onlooker whispered.
“He doesn’t seem to be bluffing. Could he have a way to counter Blood Skeleton?” another said.
“Give him something, Blood Skeleton. You’ll kill him in one move, and it’s still yours,” a voice called.
“Yeah, don’t be stingy,” another added.
The crowd, loving drama, didn’t care for either side; they just wanted a show.
“Fine. If you face me for three moves, I’ll give you a Heavenly Spirit Pill, a mid-grade yellow pill fit for Heaven-Man Realm warriors,” Blood Skeleton said, revealing a lustrous pill that made eyes widen.
A mid-grade yellow Heavenly Spirit Pill was rare, even in the imperial city, typically reserved for elite disciples of the two academies, and even then, only possibly. Blood Skeleton had fought hard in Divine Phoenix Academy’s rankings to earn it. For a First Heaven warrior, it was wasteful; it suited those above Five Elements Heaven.
“Deal,” Ling Xiao agreed briskly, stepping out of the academy gate.
That step meant the security teachers could no longer intervene without escalating it to a teacher-level conflict between academies, with far-reaching consequences.
“Fool,” a security teacher muttered, frustrated but helpless.
“Madman,” Qingxu disciples said, shaking their heads.
“Hahaha, I knew flashing this pill would make you walk to your death. Why did I bother with all this?” Blood Skeleton laughed wildly, then launched a palm strike.
Skull-Seizing Palm. The palm wind formed a sinister skull, the air thick with death’s aura. Many warriors felt their souls tremble, as if being torn from their bodies, an agonizing sensation.
Ling Xiao, at the brunt, should have felt worse. Yet, under the crowd’s gaze, his face held a carefree smile, showing no pressure.
What was with this guy?
Boom! Blood Skeleton’s palm struck the ground, corroding it into a scorched skull imprint. But Ling Xiao was gone.
“One move,” his voice echoed from all directions.
“Coward, hiding like a rat. Face me,” Blood Skeleton roared.
“You think I’m an idiot? A First Heaven warrior head-on against your Five Elements Heaven? You’re the one with water in your brain,” Ling Xiao retorted. He knew he couldn’t beat Blood Skeleton outright, even at full strength, but his survival skills were plenty.
