“Iron Cloth Scatter Hand!”
Shi Feiyu’s attack technique was honed to complement the Iron Cloth Divine Skill. When unleashed, his limbs seemed forged of steel, incredibly formidable.
Chilling Ice Palm!
Ling Yixue didn’t dare hold back, deploying an advanced martial art she’d perfected.
Her body’s energy instantly turned icy cold, and with one palm strike, faint white frost seemed to form.
Bang!
Neither side yielded, their energies clashing midair.
Shi Feiyu swayed, feeling a chill in his arms that momentarily halted his pursuit.
Ling Yixue staggered back three or four steps before steadying herself.
“So strong!”
“Yeah, Shi Feiyu’s Iron Cloth Scatter Hand is terrifying, capable of splitting stone. That Ling Yixue blocked it and only retreated a few steps, she’s got reason to challenge him.”
“But at this rate, she’ll still lose eventually.”
“Show your real strength!” Shi Feiyu shook his hands, dispelling the cold energy.
Yet his face showed no joy. From their first clash, he’d realized Ling Yixue wasn’t going all out.
“As you wish!”
Ling Yixue had planned to hold back, saving energy for potential later challenges.
But now, it seemed she couldn’t beat Shi Feiyu without full effort.
Suddenly, her surrounding energy morphed into seven colors, as if she wore a rainbow robe.
“Entry-level top-tier defensive martial art, Seven-Colored霞衣 (Rainbow Veil)!”
Sharp-eyed onlookers quickly identified her technique.
“Impossible, how does she know a top-tier martial art?”
Ling Chen blurted out in shock.
“What, your own clan didn’t know she could use it? Heh, looks like your Ling Clan isn’t exactly united,” Li Xinghui said with a faint smile. “This fight just got interesting.”
“Hmph, Ling Yixue’s only mid-fifth Martial Vein, while Shi Feiyu’s at the peak. With that gap, even a top-tier martial art won’t save her, she’ll lose!” Ling Chen scoffed.
“Heh, amusing, you don’t even back your own clanmate,” Li Xinghui said, eyeing Ling Chen with interest, wondering if the Ling Clan’s disarray could be exploited.
Ling Chen privately seethed. Of the four chosen fighters, the other three were allied, leaving him isolated. He had no fondness for Ling Xiao, only anger, which extended to Ling Yixue.
The fight pressed on.
With Seven-Colored Rainbow Veil, Ling Yixue held her own against Shi Feiyu.
Though her realm was lower, her combat finesse—perhaps guided by a master—offset the disadvantage.
“Almost there,” Ling Xiao murmured with a smile after about fifty exchanges. No one knew Ling Yixue better than him, the fight was nearing its end.
As his words fell, a bizarre scene unfolded on the arena: Shi Feiyu froze solid, unable to move.
Ling Yixue could kill him effortlessly if she chose.
“Ling Yixue wins!”
“What just happened, how’d she win?”
“Couldn’t see, probably some secret technique, Shi Feiyu had no resistance.”
“Either way, the Ling Clan’s shining now, two in the top four back-to-back, plus Ling Chen makes three. Are they aiming to sweep the Four Young Masters?”
“Not so fast, the gala’s just started. Li Xinghui and Shi Yulian haven’t fought yet, and the Li, Shi, and Wang clans have more heavy hitters.”
“But right now, it looks like Ling Yixue’s the strongest, Ling Yihang second, Ling Chen’s untested but probably third. Ling Xiao seems the weakest, maybe the clan competition was a smokescreen.”
“Yeah, could be, putting a nobody first to throw everyone off.”
Hearing this, Ling Xiaotian and Supreme Elder Ling Yin in the Ling Clan’s tower looked grim.
Ling Yixue and Ling Xiao weren’t on the original gala list. Now, Ling Yixue had taken third, catching them off guard.
And if their hunch was right, Ling Xiao might be even more fearsome.
Unchosen disciples excelling like this was a slap to their faces.
“What’s with all the chatter? Want to know Ling Xiao’s worth, just test him. Ling Xiao, if you’re a man, challenge me!” shouted a Li Clan disciple ranked seventh, late-fifth Martial Vein.
Ling Xiao had little interest in such a foe.
But recalling the Beggar Gang brothers and kin who’d died horribly, his mood soured.
If you want a beating, I’ll oblige!
He stood, smiling at the Li Clan disciple, and leaped onto the arena.
“You didn’t dare challenge Ling Yihang, Ling Yixue, or Ling Chen, but picked me. Think I’m an easy target?” Ling Xiao asked. He was here to spar, not coach weaklings.
So he had zero interest in this guy.
He planned to end it quick.
“So what if I did?” the Li disciple retorted, unbothered, clearly targeting the softest mark.
“Fine, then you can leave,” Ling Xiao said, flicking his hand lightly.
To the crowd’s astonishment, the late-fifth Martial Vein fighter, ranked seventh, flew off like paper, offering no resistance.
Not even one move.
Ling Xiao hadn’t used a technique, just a casual wave.
“How’s he so strong?”
“He’s not as weak as we thought.”
“Makes sense, the Ling Clan’s annual competition isn’t a joke. Beating Ling Feifan means he’s got something.”
“I don’t buy it. Ling Xiao, dare to take my challenge?” another Li Clan disciple jumped up.
“Stronger than the last one?” Ling Xiao asked calmly.
“About the same.”
“If you’re the same, why bother? Off you go,” Ling Xiao said, flicking his hand again. The new challenger, barely on the arena, was tossed off.
Twice in a row, he’d flung late-fifth Martial Vein fighters off like nothing, effortlessly, showing no strain.
Yet still, no one could gauge his true depth.
“Shi Yue, you challenge Ling Xiao,” Shi Yulian, perched on the fifth arena, suddenly said to a youth in her clan’s tower.
“Sister, me against him? Isn’t that overkill?” Shi Yue’s words stunned the crowd.
Everyone had seen Ling Xiao’s display, Shi Yue wasn’t blind, yet he spoke so boldly, suggesting far greater strength than the prior two.
“Do it,” Shi Yulian’s voice carried an enchanting quality, soothing to all who heard it.
Ling Xiao enjoyed it too, but it didn’t distract him.
“Got it, Sister,” Shi Yue said, hopping onto the arena. “Ling Xiao, don’t blame me for harsh words. When I strike, blood will spill. Hope you’ll step down yourself.”
