Achoo!
High above the eastern Holy State, Ling Xiao suddenly sneezed.
The nine dragons pulling his chariot shuddered, glancing back fearfully at their master.
"Who's cursing me?"
Ling Xiao held a wine cup, taking a small sip. His face was slightly flushed.
It was nearly noon, about an hour's journey from the Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect. Ling Xiao stretched his limbs and stood up, gazing into the distance.
"The Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect... it's been a while. I wonder if my senior brothers, senior sisters, and junior sisters have missed me..."
"Senior Brother Qin Feng has left seclusion!!!"
Meanwhile, atop the main peak of the Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect.
Numerous black-robed youths ran about, cheering, their faces filled with wild joy.
"Today's the day Senior Brother Qin challenges Ling Xiao! This will be a good show."
"Senior Brother Qin was already at the Mid-Xuanqing Realm before seclusion. After half a month, he's probably reached the late stage!"
"So terrifying! Senior Brother Qin truly lives up to being the Grand Elder's personal disciple. Let's see how Ling Xiao handles this later!"
"Pfft, whether he dares to show up is another matter. Haven't you heard? Ling Xiao hasn't been back at the sect for ages."
"Probably hid back with the Ling Clan, right?"
Disciples of the Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect gathered, whispering and sneering.
Although in front of Ling Xiao, they always acted obsequious.
They had no choice! Who asked him to be the eldest young master of the Ling Clan, with parents who were famous powerhouses in the Holy State?
Anyone who offended someone with that status wouldn't end well.
But truthfully, within the entire Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect, those who genuinely accepted Ling Xiao's status as Young Master numbered no more than five.
Half a month ago, the Grand Elder's personal disciple, Senior Brother Qin Feng, openly challenged Ling Xiao to a duel atop Illusion Demon Mountain in half a month.
Ling Xiao had agreed on the surface but then immediately vanished.
He'd been missing for half a month without a trace.
Most believed Ling Xiao had probably gone to beg his mother for pills or returned to the Ling Clan to prepare treasures.
But no matter how many treasures, they were useless in the hands of a good-for-nothing.
As for pills? They might give a temporary boost, allowing for all sorts of stamina, but overuse leads to weakness!
Behind Illusion Demon Mountain, a young man in golden robes walked slowly. His aura was profound, each step leaving faint marks on the hard blue stone.
"Junior Brother Qin!"
From the forest ahead, another youth in dark robes appeared.
This youth seemed older, his face wearing a warm, kindly smile. But the aura radiating from him was even more fearsome than Qin Feng's.
"Senior Brother!"
Seeing the newcomer, Qin Feng also smiled and bowed respectfully.
"Did you break through?"
"Yes. Today, I will surely crush Ling Xiao underfoot."
Qin Feng smiled faintly, his brows filled with confidence.
"Good. Our Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect cannot let a good-for-nothing hold the Young Master position. Many sects are already laughing at us behind our backs. Many are watching this challenge of yours."
The dark-robed youth waved his hand, taking something from his robes. "I've heard Junior Brother Qin has feelings for Junior Sister Fu. It's a shame that Ling Xiao, relying on his status as Young Master, always finds excuses to keep Junior Sister Fu by his side. If you can crush Ling Xiao right in front of her today, I imagine Junior Sister Fu might be moved."
"Senior Brother..."
Qin Feng smiled wryly, frowning slightly at the brown ancient cauldron in the dark-robed youth's hand.
"Ling Xiao's strength is certainly no match for yours, Junior Brother, but he possesses many treasures. This Primordial Chaos Cauldron is something I obtained during the Ten Thousand Sects Tournament years ago. I'll lend it to you temporarily. You can use it to decide the outcome at a critical moment."
"Senior Brother... In the eyes of all the disciples, you are the true candidate for Young Master. Don't worry, I will definitely defeat Ling Xiao this time. After that, the Sect Master and the elders surely won't let a good-for-nothing remain Young Master."
Qin Feng was deeply moved, his eyes showing a trace of admiration for the dark-robed youth.
"What are you saying, Junior Brother? If you can defeat Ling Xiao, the Young Master position should be yours. Honestly, I don't care about these empty titles. I just don't want our Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect disciples to hang their heads in shame wherever they go."
The dark-robed youth spoke earnestly, placing the treasure cauldron in Qin Feng's hands.
"Senior Brother, if you hadn't saved me from that secret realm back then, I would have perished long ago. I will never forget this kindness. Please rest assured, when the time comes, I will voluntarily yield the position to you."
Qin Feng accepted the cauldron, his expression growing solemn.
Back when the core disciples of the Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect went down the mountain for training, Qin Feng had indeed been trapped in a secret realm with no way out.
Ling Xiao, to save himself, had used a Void Talisman and escaped.
If not for this senior brother before him, Qin Feng would likely have died there.
Although the Qin Family wasn't as powerful as the Ling Clan, it still held some reputation in the Holy State.
Today's challenge was fair. As long as he won fairly, the Ling Clan shouldn't have anything to say.
"Ah, knowing you have this intention is enough for me. You should go now. It's almost the agreed time."
Although the dark-robed youth wore a bitter smile, his heart was surging with excitement.
Ling Xiao, even though I don't dare attack you personally, just a few tricks are enough to make you have no place in the Ten Thousand Dao Demon Sect.
A Demon Sect Young Master defeated by a core disciple...
Pfft.
Just thinking about it makes me want to laugh.
"Senior Brother, aren't you coming?"
"Ah, the Sect Master summoned me to meditate in the Ancestral Hall today. I won't be going."
The dark-robed youth shook his head, looking somewhat regretful. "But don't worry, Junior Brother. My heart is always with you."
Are you kidding me?
That Ling Xiao might be worthless, but his status was real.
What good could come from slapping his face?
The Qin Family had some reputation, but it was nothing compared to the Ling Clan and the Dan Yuan Holy Land.
And this Qin Feng still wants the Young Master position?
Pfft.
Thinking about it again makes me want to laugh.
"Thank you, Senior Brother. Then please wait for my good news in the Ancestral Hall."
Qin Feng bowed again, then strode steadily towards the main hall.
"Junior Brother Qin, please don't blame me for setting you up. I'm doing this for the sake of the sect. Don't worry, once I become Young Master, I will definitely look after the Qin Family."
The dark-robed youth sneered coldly, looking at Qin Feng's retreating back as if he were already a dead man.
He believed Ling Xiao was no match for Qin Feng.
But he also believed Qin Feng wouldn't live past tomorrow.
This was just as well. Let people witness Ling Xiao's cruelty.
A Demon Sect Young Master who can't even beat a core disciple, who only knows how to take revenge on fellow disciples through underhanded means—how could he command respect?
Killing two birds with one stone.
At most, he lost a mid-grade divine artifact.
The dark-robed youth could no longer suppress the joy in his heart. Humming a tune, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.