"You garbage present here, do you even deserve it?"
Ling Xiao's words were direct, arrogant, and utterly infuriating!
Although everyone knew that Ling Xiao, the eldest young master of the Ling Clan, was domineering and looked down on everyone, showing off in front of outsiders was one thing—after all, the entire Holy State was wary of the Ling Clan to some extent.
But here, in front of the eight branch elders, just what did Ling Xiao think he was, daring to speak so arrogantly and scorn all the Ling Clan's geniuses?
"Hmph, truly the epitome of arrogance and ignorance! Ling Xiao, if you weren't a Ling Clan young master, you'd have been beaten to death long ago, right?" Ling Rui sneered, a killing intent already visible in his eyes.
Age-wise, he was ten years older than Ling Xiao and should have been the Ling Clan's eldest young master. Yet, whenever the Holy State mentioned the Ling Clan's eldest young master, everyone thought of Ling Xiao! This had festered in Ling Rui's heart for a long time.
"Cousin, you're right. Many people in the Holy State want to beat me to death. But generally... people who have that idea end up dead." Ling Xiao gave a sinister smile. His tone was calm, but the arrogance in his words was pushing people to their limits.
"Ling Xiao!! If you have the guts, fight me now! Today I'll make you understand that without your status as a Ling Clan young master, you're nothing!"
Ling Rui's face was twisted, a violent aura surging around him.
Throughout the Eastern Frontier of the Holy State, aside from the peerless monsters from those supreme orthodox traditions, he, Ling Rui, was a leading young genius. A mere Ling Xiao wasn't even worth a glance in his eyes.
He just never expected Ling Xiao to still be putting on an act at a time like this.
What right did a Soul Sea Realm ant have to chirp and chatter in front of him?
"Grand Elder, you won't be angry if I kill him, will you? Your grandson... is really pushing his luck." Although Ling Xiao's words were directed at Ling Shan, his eyes were fixed on Ling Rui.
The phrase "your grandson" was a bit ambiguous.
"Grandfather!!" Ling Rui's face was already flushed bright red.
Especially since Ling Xiao was still acting so composed, it made people want to immediately stomp him underfoot and kick him repeatedly.
"Father... perhaps let me..." On the side, Ling Tian, seeing the timing was almost right, stepped forward to request the fight, but Ling Shan suddenly spoke, "Since Young Master Ling Xiao is so confident, Rui'er, why don't you properly let the Young Master witness the Heavenly Silkworm Divine Seal of our branch?"
"Yes! Grandfather!" Ling Rui grinned eagerly, looking at Ling Xiao. "Ling Xiao, you're full of hot air, utterly arrogant! Everyone in the Holy State knows your foul reputation! You've nearly shamed the entire Ling Clan!"
"Today, I'll make you understand... you are unworthy of the title 'Ling Clan Young Master'!"
"Hehe, I really don't get you people. Where do you find the leisure to fuss about reputation all day? Cousin, do you cultivate just for fame? Do you want to be the heir for fame? How about this: let's not fight. From today on, we'll all call you the 'Holy State's Peerless, Number One, Domineering, Dashing, Handsome, Unrivaled, Great Monster'. How about that?" Ling Xiao grinned, showing not the slightest regard for Ling Rui.
"You!!!! Sharp-tongued! Ling Xiao, are you scared?" Ling Rui took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the rage in his heart.
But the sight of Ling Xiao's natural-born arrogance made the anger impossible to contain.
If they weren't in front of Ling Tianlin, Ling Rui would have long since made his move.
"Ah, this world always has people who mistake kindness for malice." After speaking, Ling Xiao gave Ling Tian a meaningful glance.
Ling Tian's heart trembled.
What the hell are you looking at me for?
Could digging out my Dan Hai also be considered kindness?
"Kindness? You have kindness? If the Ling Clan falls into your hands, it will probably bring about its destruction sooner or later!"
"Cousin Ling Rui, after living so long, you still haven't figured out that on the immortal path, reputation is worthless. To earn respect, you need strength greater than others!" Ling Xiao smiled faintly, standing in the hall with his hands behind his back, looking as if he was directing the nation.
"Do you think our Ling Clan has stood for a thousand years because we Ling Clan members are kind, pure, and honest?"
"In this era of great contention, everyone wants to achieve immortality and enlightenment. What does a holy name or an evil name matter? As long as you stand at the pinnacle of the martial path, the world will only bow. How do you know that the immortal who ascends isn't actually a demon who kills?"
Boom!!
The entire Ling Clan sacred hall fell into dead silence.
All the elders stared at the calm-faced young man, their eyes filled with nothing but shock.
An immortal is also a demon who kills?
What a preposterous Daoist argument!
If such words spread, the Ling Clan would inevitably be thrust into the spotlight, even facing divine punishment from the Holy Church.
"You... shut your mouth! Rui'er, quickly, quickly show him what's what!" Ling Shan gritted his teeth, his expression already showing fear.
Ling Xiao's words weren't false.
In the world of cultivation, martial power was supreme.
The strong were respected and achieved supreme fame.
And those standing at the absolute peak of the world—whose hands weren't stained with the bones of thousands?
But these were words not just anyone could say.
Especially from a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth. Such words and actions could be called demonic!
"Ling Xiao, prepare to die!!" Seeing the Grand Elder had spoken, a flash of killing intent appeared in Ling Rui's eyes. He finally stopped suppressing his aura, letting it erupt forth.
Golden light blazed, Dao sounds reverberated.
At this moment, the entire Ling Clan great hall was bathed in divine light.
Peak Profound Clear Realm, with faint signs of approaching the Paragon Breakthrough.
"He truly lives up to being the Grand Elder's grandson! Such talent is probably unmatched in the entire Holy State!"
"I think it won't be long before Rui'er steps into the Paragon Breakthrough Realm and earns a peerless reputation!"
"With such an heir, our Ling Clan's future glory is assured!" The other elders immediately nodded in praise, their eyes full of approval as they looked at Ling Rui.
In comparison, that Ling Xiao...
Pfft.
Really was worthless.
What face did a Soul Sea Realm cultivator have to compete for the Ling Clan heir position?!
"Cousin Ling Rui, impressive!"
"Cousin Ling Rui, the pride of our clan!"
"Cousin Ling Rui, get him!" The remaining geniuses in the hall began to clap and cheer.
But Ling Tian glared hatefully at the figure shrouded in golden light.
Damn it! I schemed for seven years, only to have Ling Rui steal the spotlight!
But fine. You crush Ling Xiao. Later, I'll just cut you down with one sword...
Hehe. The heir position, the peerless fame... will still be mine!
"Ling Xiao, make your move! I'll let you have three attacks! That should be fair enough!!" Ling Rui sneered, clenched his fist, and the golden light around him shot towards the heavens, faintly forming a divine shadow around him.
Great Dao symbols descended from the sky, swirling and entwining around Ling Rui.
All the Ling Clan members looked towards the sacred hall in surprise.
There, golden light hung like mist, traces of immortality seemed to rise—it was a scene akin to divine blessing.
"Heaven bless our Ling Clan! Is a peerless genius appearing?"
"Heaven bless the Ling Clan!"
...
"Three attacks?" Ling Xiao shook his head with a bitter smile. Ling Rui might lack other skills, but his ability to show off was on par with his own.
But when a Son of Destiny promised three attacks, they usually finished the opponent in one.
A worthless salted fish like you, with not a shred of Fortuna, forcing a boast... isn't that seeking death?
"Alright. Since Cousin is so confident... let's begin." Looking at Ling Rui's proud, smug face, Ling Xiao suddenly grinned.
"Buzz!"
He took a step. His figure instantly appeared in front of Ling Rui. Demonic light surged around him as he directly raised a foot and kicked Ling Rui... in the face!!