“Ruthless!”
“Yeah, I heard Ling Xiao is merciless, didn’t expect him to be so harsh with his own sect.”
“Hmph, Ning Ke deserved it for crossing him.”
“Please, Junior Brother Ling, if I cripple my cultivation, I’ll die!”
Ning Ke knelt before Ling Xiao.
“Don’t want to cripple your cultivation? Simple, kill the woman beside you, and I’ll let you go!”
Ling Xiao grinned wickedly.
He wanted to drag Ning Ke down.
This way, Ning Ke would offend Pixiu Island and Divine Phoenix Academy, leaving him no choice but to follow Ling Xiao.
“No!”
Chu Lin looked at Ning Ke in terror, shaking her head, crying pitifully.
She was truly desperate now.
She thought Ke Yu’s appearance would kill Ling Xiao.
Now, Ling Xiao didn’t even bother crippling her cultivation, he wanted her dead.
This was retribution.
“Senior Ning, one chance, choose wisely, my patience is limited.”
Ling Xiao said calmly.
“Sorry, Chu Lin, blame your blind eyes for crossing Junior Brother Ling!”
How could someone like Ning Ke care for Chu Lin?
To save his life and cultivation, killing her was nothing.
If Pixiu Island sought revenge, he could hide in Qingxu Academy, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble there.
As he spoke, he acted.
Facing Ning Ke, far stronger than her, Chu Lin’s face was deathly pale.
She recalled goading Ke Long and the guard to attack Ling Xiao, filled with regret.
From that moment, her tragic fate was sealed.
“Ah!”
With a scream, Ning Ke severed Chu Lin’s head.
To show loyalty to Ling Xiao, he went all out.
But Ling Xiao’s expression wasn’t pleased.
He despised people like Ning Ke.
They’d abandon anyone to survive.
“Get lost, don’t cross me again, or I’ll find any excuse to kill you!”
Ling Xiao waved him off.
Ning Ke literally rolled down the stairs.
“Scum!”
Ling Xiao spat, entering a private training room.
The bodies outside would be handled, no need for him to worry.
He wasn’t domineering.
Though this world was survival of the fittest, he never bullied the weak.
Unless provoked.
“The last private room, whoever’s strong enough can use it.”
As the stone door closed, Ling Xiao said calmly.
“Thank you, Young Hero Ling!”
Ling Xiao didn’t care for their thanks, he acted on principle.
Sitting cross-legged in the training room, he took out a Tianyuan Crystal and a Heavenly Spirit Pill, activated the Eye of the World, and began his final sprint.
His Mountain River Martial Soul activated, energy from the crystal and pill surged into his body, condensing, strengthening, growing purer.
Meanwhile, his comprehension of light and shadow mysteries didn’t stop.
Cultivation was one thing, but understanding mysteries was crucial.
Training was tedious, time passed quickly.
Two days blinked by.
The bodies outside were long cleared.
Ling Xiao’s deeds spread through the imperial city.
Martial artists interested in the matter knew Ling Xiao returned stronger after his trip.
What was thought to be a dull fight with Blood Skull now sparked interest.
On the last day of the month, the city’s liveliest square was packed.
Originally for imperial decrees, it was spacious, well-protected.
Now, the square’s centre was cordoned off, a specially crafted arena stood, flanked by Divine Phoenix and Qingxu Academy flags, with the Divine Phoenix Empire’s flag in the centre.
“Are Divine Phoenix and Qingxu Academies holding a disciple duel? Why such a grand setup?”
Seeing palace guards maintaining order, someone asked.
“It’s a duel, but just between Blood Skull and Ling Xiao.”
Another explained, “I’m surprised too, it’s just two disciples, yet it’s been hyped since the month began, still ongoing yesterday.”
“You know only half the story.”
An insider grinned, “This isn’t just about them, it’s a hidden rivalry between the academies.”
“How so?”
“You really don’t know? When Ling Xiao first came to the city, he humiliated Divine Phoenix Academy publicly, crippling their Leng Chan and Feng Mingbo, think they’d tolerate that?”
“No way.”
“Exactly, but Divine Phoenix was in the wrong, and their overall strength may not match Qingxu’s. When Ling Xiao offended Blood Skull, they pinned their revenge on him.”
“No wonder, I heard Blood Skull got full support this month, resources, techniques, even personal guidance from a vice-dean, probably broke through again.”
“Definitely, but Ling Xiao’s no slouch.”
“How so?”
“You’ve been in seclusion, huh? Over twenty days ago, Ling Xiao caused a scene at the Divine Phoenix Auction, snubbing Yan Peng of the Great Roc Clan, taking his desired slave.
Rumour has it, a Heavenly Cave Realm expert ambushed Ling Xiao, but he and the slave killed them.”
“So strong!”
“Stronger still, Ling Xiao was gone over twenty days, everyone thought he fled, but he returned and killed Ke Long and Ke Yu, both Divine Phoenix disciples.”
“No way, both were Five Elements Heaven, right? Ling Xiao’s that strong?”
“Strong! Witnesses say Ke Long used the Peacock Clan’s divine light but was defeated by Ling Xiao’s secret weapon. Ke Yu was worse, killed in one move, no chance to act.”
“Tch, if so, this duel will be a spectacle, who wins is anyone’s guess.”
“Exactly, the stage is set, tomorrow’s the duel, don’t miss it.”
