"Young...Young Master... spare me..."
Qin Feng listened despairingly to the cheers rising from below the battle platform.
He never dreamed that the battle meant to cement his own legend would instead become Ling Xiao's triumph.
He could clearly hear the trace of awe in the disciples' voices now.
It was obvious that from this day forward, Ling Xiao's position as Young Master was the universal consensus.
Qin Feng knew that given Ling Xiao's ruthlessness, if he didn't submit now, he was likely done for.
"Young Master... I am willing to submit to you. I beg you, spare my life."
In the face of death, things like a clouded Dao Heart no longer mattered.
As long as he lived, there was still a chance.
"Spare you? If I were the one beneath your foot today, would you think of sparing me? Senior Brother, you've cultivated the demonic path for so many years, yet you still haven't understood the true meaning of the word 'demon'."
Ling Xiao sneered, the foot on Qin Feng's face pressing down with sudden force.
But at that very moment, an overwhelming pressure descended from the sky.
Vast as the cosmos, it demanded submission from all under heaven and earth.
It instantly immobilized Ling Xiao where he stood.
"Young Master Ling Xiao, since the outcome is decided, perhaps this battle should end here."
An ancient, weathered voice slowly echoed, and then the figure of Great Elder Yu Wenba materialized in the air above the crowd.
"Greetings, Great Elder!"
The Demon Sect disciples knelt in unison.
Feeling that majestic pressure, like the wrath of heaven itself, countless disciples' eyes filled with terror.
The Ten Thousand Daos Demon Sect had two publicly known Emperor Realm experts, and the Great Elder was one of them.
Usually, disciples never truly experienced an Emperor's might.
But now, they understood: before a Divine Emperor, they were all mere ants.
"Couldn't hold back anymore after all?"
Ling Xiao's black robes stirred slightly, a sword intent seeming to surge around him towards the heavens.
Yu Wenba's face twitched, a flash of surprise in his aged eyes.
As expected of one with an immortal-like demeanor who has comprehended Dao Principle.
Under his pressure, even a Divine King expert wouldn't be able to move easily.
Yet this Ling Xiao before him, apart from a slightly pale face, showed no sign of his aura being affected in the slightest.
Ridiculous.
He had previously thought Qin Feng was top-tier among the Demon Sect's disciples. It seemed now that his true disciple had truly been overestimating himself.
"Young Master Ling Xiao, with the chaotic times approaching, our Ten Thousand Daos Demon Sect cannot remain aloof. As the Young Master, you should care for your fellow disciples and lead them through the coming tribulation. Can you truly be so heartless as to kill a fellow disciple?"
Yu Wenba knew full well his actions violated the battle platform's rules.
He could only try to appeal to reason and emotion now, hoping Ling Xiao would spare Qin Feng's life for his sake.
"Preposterous! Fellow disciple or not, he sought to kill me. He should have been prepared for this outcome!"
Ling Xiao was fearless, his sword intent erupting outwards, actually shredding the Emperor's pressure to pieces.
"Boom!"
At the same moment, his foot stamped down violently. Qin Feng, who had just been about to plead for mercy, had his skull instantly crushed, brains scattering across the ground.
"Gulp."
The entire Phantom Demon Mountain fell into complete silence.
So quiet you could hear a pin drop.
All the Demon Sect disciples stared in horror at the figure on the platform, their eyes reflecting a tumult of emotions.
Incredible!
He actually dared to kill the Great Elder's personal disciple right in front of him!
Challenging an Emperor Realm expert?!
Everyone knew that in the current Holy State, where Sovereigns remained unseen, Emperor Realm experts were invincible!
Yet Young Master Ling Xiao, at the Profound Clear Realm, had openly challenged a Divine Emperor?!
What kind of demonic might was this? What unparalleled audacity?
Those who offend me shall die, regardless of status!
At this moment, every disciple's mind trembled.
Young Master Ling Xiao was truly worthy of being the Demon Sect's Young Master!
Ding. Host's actions align with the villain archetype. Congratulations, Host has gained 3000 Villain Points.
...
"You!!! You fiend!"
Naturally, Yu Wenba never imagined Ling Xiao would be so brazen as to kill his disciple right before his eyes.
He immediately swung his hand down, a radiant palm print of spiritual energy instantly materializing and crashing towards Ling Xiao.
He didn't dare kill this scion of the Ling Clan, but an Emperor's dignity could not be challenged!
"Boom!"
Heaven and earth suddenly darkened.
The void shattered, chaotic winds sprang up, hints of an apocalyptic scene appearing.
Facing a Divine Emperor expert, Ling Xiao was far from as composed as he appeared.
But he also knew the Great Elder wouldn't dare kill him.
Thinking this, a sharp blue light gathered on his finger, and he slashed outwards through the air.
Immediately, a wisp of sword intent tore through the sky, carrying a momentum capable of severing eternity, and collided fiercely with the spiritual palm print.
"Pfft."
Ling Xiao's figure was sent flying backwards, blood spraying from his mouth, yet a strange smile played on his lips.
Just as I thought.
The old fool's attack looked terrifying, but it contained very little real power.
Otherwise, even a casual strike from an Emperor Realm expert would have ground him to dust, even if he used his Heavenly Demon True Body.
"Enough."
A soft sigh came from the distant sky.
Then, a middle-aged man wearing black and gold robes and a purple jade dragon crown slowly materialized.
The man appeared to be in his thirties or forties, handsome with sharp features and an icy demeanor.
Especially in his black eyes, which seemed to contain ten thousand demonic thoughts; their opening and closing alone could shake the world.
He was the master of the Ten Thousand Daos Demon Sect, Wan Rendí, one of the top Emperor Realm experts in the Holy State.
"Cease this."
He had naturally witnessed everything that happened in front of the great hall today.
Ling Xiao killing Qin Feng was within the rules; no one else could interfere.
And Yu Wenba, acting out of concern for his disciple, disciplining Ling Xiao was also understandable.
That's why he had chosen to appear now.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
Cries of reverence rose again from the stone plaza.
The Master of the Ten Thousand Daos Demon Sect!
A figure usually elusive as a divine dragon; even many inner disciples had never seen the Sect Master's true face.
No one expected today's events would draw him out.
"Sect Master, this boy Ling Xiao is vicious and cruel, showing no mercy even to a fellow disciple. Having such a person as our Demon Sect's Young Master is truly disheartening!!"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Yu Wenba quickly played the accuser first.
"Heh. On the battle platform, life and death are predetermined. Moreover, the challenge today was issued by Qin Feng. Is the Great Elder suggesting that from now on, disciples in our sect should not be allowed to fight to the death?"
Ling Xiao laughed coldly, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
The reason the Ten Thousand Daos Demon Sect bore the word "Demon," aside from their cultivation techniques, was precisely because of the intensely brutal competition within the sect.
Every true disciple had climbed over the blood and bones of countless fellow disciples.
The Great Elder's words just now went against the very philosophy of the Demon Sect.
"I..."
Yu Wenba choked, momentarily unable to find a retort.
"Enough. This matter ends here. No one is to speak of it again. Ling Xiao, come with me."
Wan Rendí glanced at Yu Wenba, waved his hand, and swept Ling Xiao up, heading towards the summit of Phantom Demon Mountain.
Seeing the Sect Master leave, the remaining disciples didn't dare linger, fearing they might incur the wrath of the already furious Great Elder. They quickly dispersed.
Yu Wenba landed on the platform. He stood silently for a long time, looking at Qin Feng, whose head had been crushed by Ling Xiao. Finally, he collected his disciple's body and vanished from in front of the great hall.
The storm thus came to an end.
But Ling Xiao's name, on this day, had thoroughly cowed the entire Ten Thousand Daos Demon Sect.
Immortal-like demeanor, accompanied by Dao Principle.
Before long, wouldn't he trample the entire younger generation of the Holy State beneath his feet?
How unfortunate!
And yet, how fortunate!
Unfortunate because even the most powerful geniuses would be overshadowed by Ling Xiao's radiance.
Fortunate because they shared an era with such a monster, witnessing, even participating in his rise, if only as part of the backdrop!
"If heaven had not bestowed Ling the Invincible, the demonic path would remain in eternal night for ages to come!"
A certain elder sighed with such emotion.