On the Martial Arts Platform.
One side is Ling Feifan—the first genius of the Ling Family, and one of the four young masters of Tianfeng City.
The other side is the super dark horse who rose suddenly from the lower-ranked disciples, cutting down one opponent after another.
Both individuals have their respective fan groups.
However, compared to Ling Feifan, Ling Xiao’s fans are less than one-tenth of his.
On the spectator’s stage, there’s a deafening silence.
The audience is very tense.
Some are expecting Ling Feifan to defeat Ling Xiao in one move, to prove that he has the right to be arrogant!
To prove that he is the first great master among the younger generation of the Ling Family!
Others are hoping that Ling Xiao can hold on a bit longer, as long as he doesn’t lose within ten moves, then it would be considered a slap in the face for Ling Feifan.
After all, Ling Feifan’s arrogant demeanor obviously didn’t take Ling Xiao seriously.
As if a volcano erupted, the moment Ling Feifan stood there, the terrifying Gang Qi burst forth from his body, condensing into a fiery apparition, making him look as if he was standing amidst blazing flames.
That scorching Gang Qi even ignited strands of hair and pieces of cloth that were accidentally dropped on the ground.
The surrounding air became hot as well.
Even more than ten meters away, Ling Xiao could feel his eyebrows as if they were about to catch fire, the frightful blazing Gang Qi was truly formidable.
This was not an illusion!
Nor was it a misperception!
Because the Internal Cultivation Mind Techniques differ, Gang Qi can also acquire various attributes, and it was evident that Ling Feifan specialized in fiery Gang Qi.
There are quite a few in the Ling Family who practice fiery Gang Qi, but very few can reach his level.
"What terrifying fiery Gang Qi! It’s as if it could burn everything to the ground. This must be the effect of a top-level Internal Cultivation Mind Technique!"
From the judges’ seats, exclamations arose.
The judgement was very accurate.
Because Ling Feifan had been number one for three years in a row, he must have practiced at least three top-level Martial Arts.
Martial Skills, Internal Cultivation Mind Techniques, Body Movement Techniques!
These are the basics.
He might even possess secret techniques and soul secret techniques—special Martial Arts.
No wonder Ling Feifan has been able to occupy the top spot in the Genius Hall; mastering top-level Martial Arts to a proficiency level in the entire Ling Family, as of now, only he has achieved this.
Feeling this fearsome aura, Ling Yun’s face turned pale.
The Gang Qi was too terrifying, such an aura was enough to make him tremble uncontrollably—Ling Feifan was truly unfathomable, and he simply had no chance of defeating him.
That idiot Ling Xiao actually dared to challenge Ling Feifan, he’s simply courting death!
"Hahaha, Feifan really didn’t let us all down. Three months ago, he was already a martial artist at the peak of the Martial Pulse Fifth Level, but his four top-level Martial Arts were merely at the small success stage. Now it seems that at least his top-level Internal Cultivation Mind Technique has advanced to the Mastery Level."
The head judge indeed held Ling Feifan in very high regard.
Actually, it wasn’t just him; the way others looked at Ling Feifan was completely different from how they viewed the other disciples.
As long as Ling Feifan doesn’t make a major mistake, he can be free from the rules of the Ling Family.
"I think the other three top-level Martial Arts should also have reached proficiency. That Ling Xiao is really overestimating himself. But that’s good, let him experience the strength of the Ling Family’s number one disciple, and in the future, he might be more down-to-earth!"
"I have long been annoyed with that Ling Xiao, a mere lower-ranked disciple, and one who was recruited from outside at that. Just because he luckily took first place in an elimination contest, he dares to disrespect us judges. I really can’t fathom why the Clan Leader still protects him."
"The Clan Leader is probably trying to demonstrate fairness. After all, no matter what, Ling Xiao’s challenge against Feifan didn’t break any rules."
"Then let Feifan properly teach Ling Xiao how to behave!"
Including the judges and the group of high-ranking members of the Ling Family in the spectator seats, basically, everyone supported Ling Feifan.
This was not surprising, as having held the first place in the Genius Hall for three years, Ling Feifan has created a strong impression of invincibility in their minds.
It was very normal for them to support Ling Feifan.
Furthermore, because he was number one, Ling Feifan received ample resources, which was another reason why he remained unbeatable.
Furthermore, his cultivation talent was like that of a genius, even stronger than Ling Yun and Ling Shuang, so no one could challenge his status.
Now, at the age of seventeen, Ling Feifan, the youngest of the Four Young Masters of Tianfeng City, had the last rank, but the Ling Family believed that if the ranks were reassessed now, Ling Feifan would definitely claim the first place.
"Whoever you are, just come at me. For the span of a quarter of an hour, I won’t budge from my spot. You can use whatever method you like to attack, as long as it’s within the rules. If you can injure me, even just a scratch, I’ll consider it your win!"
Ling Feifan stood there with his hands behind his back, as if the Fire God himself had descended to earth, yet his eyes were locked on Ling Yun below the platform.
In Ling Feifan’s view, the only one who could pique his interest was Ling Yun.
He really wanted to test how powerful Ling Yun’s Sword Intent was.
So, he found Ling Xiao’s challenge annoying, really. An ant attempting to challenge a colossal elephant was simply laughable.
"Hahaha, worthy of brother Feifan, only he could say such a thing!"
"Yeah, standing there without moving, Ling Xiao couldn’t possibly injure even a single hair on him!"
On the spectator platform, everyone thought this was to be expected.
They didn’t feel like Ling Feifan was showing off, because he truly had the strength to back it up.
What he said was normal.
It was meant to make Ling Xiao finally understand the gap between their strengths.
"Hahahaha, a quarter of an hour, huh? It seems that’s all the confidence you have!"
Ling Xiao laughed loudly, "How about this, I’ll stand here without moving, and give you half a shichen. If you manage to injure me, even just dislodging a single hair, I’ll consider it your win!"
His retort, although surprising to many on the spectator platform,
did not lead them to think of him as particularly brave or imposing.
On the contrary, they found his actions quite laughable.
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are talking to?
Even setting Ling Feifan aside, it’s unimaginable to beat any of the top five without injuring so much as a hair.
"Posing and pretentious!"
"Such a fool, thinking he’s clever when he’s completely overestimating his abilities!"
"Exactly, brother Feifan was clearly going easy on him, not wanting to hurt him, but this guy is just asking for it!"
"Brother Feifan, show that ignorant brat a lesson!"
"Ling Feifan, you are the only opponent I acknowledge. Don’t disappoint me. Finish off that kid in one move."
Ling Yun said, looking at Ling Feifan.
Ling Feifan turned his gaze to Ling Xiao.
He hadn’t expected that the other party would be so oblivious to their own limits!
To show him so little respect!
He was the honored first member of the Genius Hall!
Even Elders of the Clan had to give him some deference, so what was this kid!
How dare he disrespect him?
"Referee-in-chief, may I cripple this piece of trash?"
Ling Feifan asked nonchalantly, glancing over at the referee’s seat.
"As per the rules, as long as you don’t threaten his life, whatever you do is acceptable,"
the referee-in-chief said.
Ling Feifan nodded with a smile, then addressed Ling Xiao again, "You should feel lucky. If this were outside, you’d be dead already. This time, I’ll just cripple you, to make you understand—my authority is not to be challenged!"
Although he was smiling as he spoke, the overbearing aura that hit them head-on revealed his immense anger and dissatisfaction at that moment.