"A fight?" The playful smirk on Ling Xiao's lips deepened. These Sons of Destiny were all cut from the same cloth. Everyone who saw him seemed desperate to step on him.
"Correct! If you lose today, then... then you must release Divine Maiden Qingyun and grant her freedom!" Lin Xi hadn't even considered the possibility of defeat, so he naturally didn't think about the consequences of losing. A Flawless Dao Heart demanded believing oneself supreme above all! Otherwise, in this chaotic world teeming with prodigies, how could the true meaning of being 'Heaven's Chosen' be highlighted?
"Grant her freedom?" Ling Xiao shook his head, a trace of coldness gradually surfacing in his eyes.
Meanwhile, the powerful figures from the ancient sects observing the ceremony in the hall all watched the two with amused expressions. The cultivation of the young man in white had clearly reached the threshold of the Profound Void Realm. Moreover, the fiery aura around him carried a hint of Dao Principle. Although most present had never heard the name 'Lin Xi,' they couldn't deny he was a talented youth. As for Ling Xiao... many rumors about this Ling Clan Young Master had spread throughout the Eastern Territory these past few days. But what his actual combat prowess was, no one could say for sure.
"Hmph! Ling Xiao, are all those grand titles you carry just empty boasts? Do you not even have the courage to fight me?" Lin Xi laughed arrogantly, his words dripping with sarcasm.
He had come today primarily to reject this marriage on Nian Qingyun's behalf. Secondly, he naturally wanted to tread upon the Ling Clan's prestige to make a name for himself across the Sacred Province. That way, his younger sister and father might learn he was still alive. Moreover, Lin Xi was confident that with his current strength, once he fused with one more Spiritual Fire, he would be fully capable of protecting them. As for those enemies who had hunted him back then, they seemed completely insignificant now.
"You have a younger sister you're separated from, don't you?" Of course, Ling Xiao had already discerned Lin Xi's motives. For someone from a minor family to dare come provoke the Ling Clan, he was either an idiot or desperate for fame. Judging by Lin Xi's 'template,' he probably wasn't a short-lived, foolish cannon fodder. So his actions today must have a deeper purpose.
"You... How do you know?!" The ferocity on Lin Xi's face instantly froze. Then, as if thinking of something, his eyes widened suddenly. "Could it be... the ones who hunted me and Father back then... were the Ling Clan!!"
In that moment, the hatred in Lin Xi's eyes could no longer be concealed. He hadn't expected his father's enemies to be this famously supreme Ancient Clan of the Sacred Province. But if it wasn't them, how would Ling Xiao know about the events of the past?
Damn it! Truly, 'You can wear out iron shoes in fruitless searching, yet destiny has its own plans'! However, having accidentally exposed his identity today, he would likely have to be very careful for a long time to come! He had witnessed the Ling Clan's ruthlessness firsthand at the age of twelve. Although they might not stoop to attacking him directly in front of all these sects today, the future... was hard to say. Hypocrisy was practically synonymous with these Ancient Clans!
Ding. Congratulations, Host, for successfully provoking suspicion in the Son of Destiny. Aligns with villainous conduct. Villain Points +1000.
"Indeed. It's the same old trope," Ling Xiao smiled faintly, his gaze towards Lin Xi growing even more amused.
So, Lin Xi must indeed be separated from his sister. This suicidal move is probably just to attract her attention. And following the trope, that younger sister of his likely had a significant background herself—either taken as a disciple by a powerful expert or a love child of some great Ancient Clan or sect, lost and now reclaimed, living a life in the spotlight. She was certainly looking for Lin Xi too, hinting at a potential future subplot. It was just that Lin Xi had been busy cultivating and searching for secret realms these past years, remaining obscure, so she hadn't found him yet.
Buy one, get one free! Kill Lin Xi, and attract another Daughter of Destiny. This was simply too fortunate.
"What... what have you done to Ling'er?!" Lin Xi's body began to tremble slightly. These years of life-and-death trials, his only driving hope had been finding his sister and father. To think that today, by sheer chance, he had discovered who his enemies were! It seemed coming to the Ling Clan was the right move! Although with his current strength alone, it was difficult to oppose the entire Ling Clan... Hmph! As long as he could fuse nine Spiritual Fires, Spirit Elder had said he could take the final step and, relying on the 'Scripture of Conflagration,' achieve the Yuan Venerable realm! At that time, wouldn't destroying the entire Ling Clan be as easy as waving his hand? 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west.' He, Lin Xi, was only eighteen! He had plenty of time to play this game with them!
"Ling'er?" For a moment, Ling Xiao thought of Feng Ling, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Although Feng Ling's origins were mysterious, she clearly seemed inexperienced and untouched by hardship. But seeing the hatred in Lin Xi's eyes now, Ling Xiao knew the timing was right. Nian Qingyun alone wasn't enough to make Lin Xi lose his reason. Especially since, once he was utterly crushed later, this Son of Destiny might become cautious and hesitate to act recklessly again. So, Ling Xiao needed to give him a stimulus—to spur him on to seek opportunities faster, to improve his cultivation, so that Ling Xiao could logically reap the rewards later.
"Still pretending?! Fine! After I crush you beneath my feet, I'll make you talk!" Lin Xi's eyes narrowed slightly, his heart hardening.
"Ling Xiao, enough talk! Do you dare to fight me or not?"
"You? Are you worthy of fighting me?" Ling Xiao suddenly shook his head. He looked past Lin Xi at Nian Qingyun behind him. "What about you? Do you want to fight me too?"
Daughters of Destiny were naturally proud and aloof. The best way to make them submit completely was simply to defeat them thoroughly. Fight them until they are weak all over, panting heavily, sweating profusely, unable to stop... then where would they find the strength for cold arrogance? Especially for a woman cultivating the Dao of Emotionlessness, she needed to understand the... intensity of passion. The most primitive emotions in the world were fear and desire. Buddhists spoke of the emptiness of all things, but that was an enlightenment born from suffering. In other words, who would willingly renounce the seven emotions and six desires unless life had dealt them repeated blows? A young girl like Nian Qingyun, who had never truly experienced anything, trying to cultivate the Emotionless Dao based on belief alone—wasn't that just a joke?
As for how to conquer this Daughter of Destiny... Of course, give her the sweetness of love, the 'ham sausage and soy milk'! [TL Note: A Chinese internet meme implying romantic/sexual undertones.] Silly little sister, I can pretend to be whatever type you like! One word! Just do it!
"Hmph! Arrogant!" Nian Qingyun coldly snorted, her beautiful eyes filled with disdain. In the entire Sacred Province, there were those who could rival her, but Ling Xiao was definitely not among them. The Ethereal Dao Principle was profound and unpredictable. If she wanted to kill Ling Xiao, he would have no means to resist.
"Alright. Since you look down on your future husband so much, today, your husband will properly prove himself." Having said that, Ling Xiao directly strode out of the Holy Palace and landed in the square below.
Instantly, all eyes within the Ling Clan focused on him. Whether the Ling Clan heir was merely boasting an empty reputation or truly invincible in the world—they would finally witness it with their own eyes!
Of course, only the visiting powerful figures and prodigies were curious. At this moment, every member of the Ling Clan wore expressions of utter disdain. The way they looked at Lin Xi was akin to looking at a fool.
"Ling Xiao! Today, I, Lin Xi, will tread upon you to achieve my Supreme Reputation!" Lin Xi naturally ignored the gazes of the Ling Clan members. From the moment he left the Lin family, he had endured this kind of unfair treatment. But in the end, all those who had mocked and scorned him had died. Today, Ling Xiao would be no exception.