Ling Xiao and Ling Yixue looked up at the same time, only to see two people standing on top of the wall.
One was Ling Chen, and the other was Ling Yun.
The one speaking was Ling Yun.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
Ling Yixue glanced faintly at Ling Yun.
Ever since the clan competition, Ling Yun had clearly been shaken, his mentality thrown off balance. Although he trained desperately, his progress lagged behind both her and Ling Yihang.
If they were to spar again, she wouldn’t dare claim a guaranteed victory over Ling Yun, but she was confident she wouldn’t lose within a hundred moves.
So now, she wasn’t afraid of him.
“Still playing dumb! You obviously have something going on with Ling Feifan. Now that he’s gone out to gain experience and hasn’t returned, you’ve hooked up with Ling Xiao instead. If that doesn’t make you a slut, what does?”
Ling Yun snapped.
“Ling Feifan has indeed been pursuing me, but I’ve never made him any promises. As a disciple of the Ling Clan, you’ve insulted me today, and you must apologise!”
Ling Yixue frowned slightly, her expression darkening.
“So what if I insult you, slut!”
Ling Yun was utterly brazen.
It was obvious he wasn’t afraid of Ling Xiao with Ling Chen by his side.
“Get down here!”
Ling Xiao had had enough. This was his courtyard, and while it was bad enough that Ling Chen and Ling Yun were standing on his wall, Ling Yun even dared to spew insults about him and Ling Yixue. If he could tolerate this, wouldn’t he, Ling Xiao, be no better than a cowardly turtle?
As he spoke, Ling Xiao suddenly made his move, using the very same Earth Core Ice Lotus Binding that Ling Yixue had employed earlier.
But his execution was noticeably more refined than hers.
An ice lotus emerged from the void, instantly freezing Ling Yun before dragging him back.
The entire sequence was so seamless that even Ling Chen, standing nearby, didn’t have time to intervene.
“Let him go!”
Ling Chen glared at Ling Xiao, his tone icy.
“If he kneels and apologises, I’ll naturally let him go!”
Ling Xiao had no fondness for Ling Chen either. Back at the library, this guy had snatched his Ice Glass Sword right in front of the clan leader, Second Master Ling, and Elder Ling Yin.
He hadn’t retaliated then because he knew he wasn’t Ling Chen’s match.
But today, that might not be the case.
“Let him go! Then kneel and apologise to my brother, hand over that slut Ling Yixue, and I’ll pretend none of this happened today.”
Ling Chen stood with his hands behind his back, exuding arrogance, clearly not taking Ling Xiao seriously at all.
“Hahaha, what are you supposed to be, talking to me like that? My status is equivalent to an inner sect elder. You don’t kneel and salute me when you see me, yet you act so arrogantly—planning a rebellion, are you?”
Ling Xiao burst into laughter, then stomped a foot down on Ling Yun.
At that moment, though Ling Yun’s mind was still clear, he lay on the ground like a dead dog, unable to move an inch.
He wished he could just end it all.
Back in the day, he’d been the second disciple of the Genius Hall, yet now he was being humiliated like this—it was infuriating beyond measure.
“Elder?”
Ling Chen sneered dismissively. “The Ling Clan leader, Ling Xiaotian, is my own grandfather! Are you kneeling or not?”
“That’s a question I should be asking you!”
Ling Xiao knew how formidable Ling Chen was, so he handed Ling Yun over to Ling Yixue. He intended to settle things with Ling Chen right here and now.
He hadn’t forgotten the grudge from the library.
“Looking to die!”
Ling Chen was genuinely furious. In the Ling Clan, not even the top genius, Ling Feifan, dared speak to him like this. He’d only been away from the clan for four years, yet someone was bold enough to look down on him.
It seemed he’d have to show some real strength.
“Stop!”
But just as the two were about to clash, Ling Wuhen appeared.
“Ling Chen, have you forgotten this is my residence?” Ling Wuhen’s expression flickered between calm and storm.
Back at the library, Ling Chen had already disrespected him, but he’d let it slide out of consideration for the elder and the clan leader.
Now, Ling Chen had the audacity to barge into his home and provoke his people.
If he didn’t do something, Ling Wuhen’s reputation might as well be forgotten.
“Second Uncle, are you protecting him?” Ling Chen looked at Ling Wuhen with a trace of contempt.
“He doesn’t need my protection, but you’ve shown no respect for your elders. Today, I’ll discipline you on behalf of your thirteenth uncle!”
With that, Ling Wuhen struck.
Perhaps because he hadn’t fought in a long time, many had forgotten that Ling Wuhen was the Ling Clan’s second-strongest master, just below Ling Xiaotian.
When he attacked, his power was overwhelming.
Ling Chen was already at the early sixth level of the Martial Vein, yet against Ling Wuhen, he had no chance to resist.
With a single move, Ling Wuhen sent Ling Chen crashing to the ground.
“Apologise, then get lost!”
Ling Wuhen didn’t waste words, but his presence was commanding.
Ling Chen’s lips twitched, but in the end, he cupped his hands towards Ling Xiao and muttered, “Sorry!”
“Ling Xiao, do me a favour and let Ling Yun go. He’s my thirteenth brother’s son, after all.”
Ling Wuhen glanced at Ling Xiao, speaking politely without a hint of command.
“I’ll definitely give Second Master Ling face, but Ling Yun must kneel and apologise to Senior Sister Yixue. I’ve already said it, and I can’t take it back.”
He didn’t want to disrespect Ling Wuhen, but some things had to be upheld—especially in front of Ling Yixue.
“Ling Yun, didn’t you hear?”
Ling Wuhen looked at Ling Yun, who lay there like a lifeless dog.
Ling Yun’s heart was filled with despair, but he had no choice. This was Ling Wuhen’s residence, and they were in the wrong for barging in. Even if they took this to the clan leader, they’d have no ground to stand on.
He could sense that if he didn’t kneel and apologise now, Ling Xiao would cripple him. This guy was too terrifying.
“Sorry! I shouldn’t have spoken nonsense!”
Finally, Ling Yun stiffly forced himself to his knees and addressed Ling Yixue.
“Get lost!”
With a wave of Ling Xiao’s hand, the ice binding Ling Yun melted away.
Ling Yun didn’t dare say another word and fled the scene in disgrace.
“Ling Xiao, I slipped up today.”
After Ling Chen and Ling Yun left, Ling Wuhen gave a wry smile.
“Second Master, no need to blame yourself. This residence may be yours, but it’s still within the Ling Clan. With Ling Chen’s strength, most people couldn’t stop him anyway. Forget it—no big harm was done.”
Ling Xiao didn’t want to dwell on the matter.
“Worthy of Ling Xiao—everything handled cleanly and decisively, no mess, no fuss. No wonder your cultivation progresses so quickly.”
Second Master Ling chuckled. “Since you’re both here today, I’ll take the chance to tell you something.”
“Second Master, feel free to speak.”
Ling Xiao nodded.
Ling Yixue nodded too.
“Do you know how the title of the Four Young Masters of Tianfeng City came about?”
Ling Wuhen asked.
Both shook their heads. They were so focused on martial arts that they hadn’t paid much attention to such things.
“After each clan’s annual competition, the lord of Tianfeng City invites geniuses from every clan to the city lord’s mansion for a contest. The top four are granted the title of Young Master and receive substantial rewards.”
Ling Wuhen explained, “This contest is known as Tianfeng City’s ‘Tianfeng Gala.’ Only twenty people can participate, restricted to those under twenty years old. Each of the four major clans gets four slots, making sixteen, and the remaining four are fought over by the other families!”
“Don’t underestimate this event. On the surface, it’s just a duel, but in reality, it’s a ‘war’ between the four major clans for resources. You two will likely be sent to participate, so prepare well. The whole city will know the results of this contest—if you fail, you’ll be drowned in ridicule.”
