"Ling Xiao, for past grievances and present hatred, I will settle accounts with you properly today." Lin Xi took a step forward, his figure descending from the sky, crashing onto the bluestone plaza and cracking it with countless fissures.
Around him, a scorching wave of heat silently spread, turning the entire Ling Clan great hall into what seemed like a sea of hellfire.
"What terrifying fiery aura! It seems this youth named Lin Xi has already touched the threshold of a Dao Principle."
"Indeed,his cultivation is nearing the Profound Void Realm. I fear once he steps into it, a Dao Principle will accompany him immediately."
"This engagement banquet of the Ling Clan heir is probably going to turn cold today."
"Hehe,when someone comes to your doorstep to snatch your bride, Ling Xiao really has no other choice."
"Just as well.This way, the Ling Clan's ambitions..."
Many powerful figures from holy sects and ancient clans walked out of the hall, watching the two figures on the square, sneering inwardly. Marriage alliances were commonplace in the Sacred Province. Their purposes, of course, varied. The Ling Clan was already powerful enough. If they joined forces with the Ethereal Dao Palace, what would be left for the other forces in the Eastern Territory to play with?
Yet, at this moment, Ling Tianlin sat steadily inside the hall, showing no intention of watching the battle. Even the Myriad Demons Sovereign, Wan Rendì, sat calmly below the dais, sipping his wine unconcerned.
A youth who has barely grasped a sliver of Dao Principle power dares to challenge Ling Xiao?
Pfft.
This chaotic age truly clouds people's judgment!
"Emperor Ling..." The Ten Thousand Swords Holy Master hesitated. Being closest to the Ling Emperor, he felt somewhat unsure. Should I go out and watch the spectacle?
"Hehe, Holy Master, what do you think of my son?" Ling Tianlin glanced at him meaningfully, and also at Ling Tian standing nearby.
"Young Master Ling Xiao is naturally a dragon among men, a light of the Sacred Province, the pride of the righteous path, a benchmark for immortal cultivation!" The Ten Thousand Swords Holy Master felt somewhat aggrieved, but in front of this Ancient Clan Divine Emperor, he didn't dare show the slightest disdain for Ling Xiao. That little bastard made me lose face just now. I wish Lin Xi could crush him underfoot and kick his head in.
"I was referring to Tian'er." Ling Tianlin shook his head with a smile, taking a sip of tea from the table. "As for Xiao'er, I naturally have no worries. With his talent, he's not someone any random cat or dog can provoke."
Pfft! Wan Rendì nearly spat out his mouthful of wine. Sure enough, father and son are cast from the same mold. Utterly arrogant, utterly overbearing!
"Uh..." The Ten Thousand Swords Holy Master gave an awkward smile and nodded in agreement, but a shadow flashed in his eyes. Emperor Ling, what time is it now, and you're still putting on an act with me? No wonder Ling Xiao is so arrogant and tyrannical; it turns out he learned the skill of boasting from you? No worries? That Lin Xi has clearly touched the threshold of a Dao Principle. His cultivation is top-tier even among the younger generation of the Sacred Province. Can't you see the great blade on his back is itching for a fight? The iron rule of the cultivation world: the more obscure and unknown the person, if they dare to provoke actively, they must have something to rely on. Moreover, any young prodigy who could catch Nian Qingyun's eye, how bad could he really be?
"Ahem, Young Master Tian is exceptionally handsome, his perseverance admirable. Although he cannot cultivate spiritual power, the path of the sword is different from ordinary paths. As long as one has the sword in their heart, they can slay immortals with a wave of the hand." The Ten Thousand Swords Holy Master's expression suddenly turned serious. With his discernment, how could he not see the sharpness emanating from Ling Tian? A twist of fate! With the Second Young Master's innate talent, he should have been someone standing at the pinnacle of the Sword Dao, but it just so happens... he lacks a Dantian.
"What a phrase, 'slay immortals with a wave of the hand'! Then, Holy Master, I entrust Tian'er to you."
"Emperor Ling,rest assured. I will do my utmost." The Ten Thousand Swords Holy Master bowed slightly, then looked towards the outside of the hall. He could feel a terrifying aura gradually swelling in the plaza before the hall.
"Young Master Ling Xiao, I apologize for the offense." Lin Xi sneered, gripping the black ruler horizontally. A visible wave of flame power instantly surged forth, burning the heavy ruler until it glowed red-hot.
"Come on, show me what you've got." Ling Xiao stood with his hands behind his back, the starry robe radiating divine light. If one didn't know his temperament, this appearance and looks could indeed be called peerless in the world.
"Hmph, overestimating your own ability." Lin Xi stomped his foot fiercely, his entire body launching forward like a preying wolf. The entire bluestone plaza instantly shattered, turning into endless dust. Then, layers of flame began to wrap around his body, that strange deep red color making anyone who looked feel feverish all over.
"What kind of technique is this?"
"What domineering flames!"
Of course, even the leaders of the ancient sects would never imagine that a mere youth at the Profound Clear Realm could fuse a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire into his body. But all of this was no surprise to Ling Xiao.
At this moment, Lin Xi had transformed into a Fire God descended from the upper realms, his body wreathed in overwhelming blood-red flames, his cultivation realm even showing signs of a breakthrough. The space before him crumbled on its own, as if unable to withstand the terrifying heat. Domineering and peerless, his sharpness knew no bounds. Even the prodigies from the holy sects now looked at Lin Xi with a trace of awe.
"Lin Xi's realm has improved again." Nian Qingyun, dressed in white, stood barefoot at the front of the crowd. A strange light also flashed in her beautiful eyes. She remembered when she first met the youth years ago, wearing coarse linen, with a bright smile. His face always wore an expression of stubborn refusal to yield. At that time, Lin Xi's cultivation was only at the Soul Sea realm. But in just a year, he had already touched the threshold of the Profound Void Realm. This speed of cultivation made even her feel ashamed of her own inferiority. Nian Qingyun didn't doubt that within five years, Lin Xi's name would resound at the pinnacle of the Sacred Province. An elegant young master, peerless immortal demeanor—this described a youth like him, didn't it?
"Ling Xiao, accept your death!"
Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Lin Xi, transformed into the ancient Fire God, fiercely slashed out with the fiery ruler in his hand.
"Spiritual Flame Drunken Wave Ruler!"
A sky-obscuring, savage blaze covered the heavens. The sky above the entire Ling Clan sacred realm instantly turned into a crimson sea of fire. Dao sounds reverberated, ceaseless and alluring. The fiery ruler in Lin Xi's hand finally transformed into a thousand-zhang giant form, crashing down towards Ling Xiao's head. Terrifying energy vortices surged outwards, creating oppressive whistling sounds. Lin Xi's divine might was undeniably displayed at this moment.
"What a terrifying martial technique! I'm afraid it surpasses the Heaven grade, doesn't it?" The previous amusement on everyone's faces had long frozen solid. Everyone watched the ruler strike that shattered the void, their eyes filled with deep awe. Regardless of victory or defeat today, the name Lin Xi was destined to resound throughout the Sacred Province.
Of course, no one believed Ling Xiao would actually die. This was the Ling Clan sacred realm, surrounded by countless Ling Clan experts. No matter how strong Lin Xi was, he was only at the Profound Clear level—an ant before Divine Emperors or even Divine Kings. However, his actions today were a real slap in the face to the Ling Clan. The direct-line young master, on his engagement day, crushed by an unknown prodigy, his fiancée leaving in anger... It seemed Ling Xiao had reserved tomorrow's headlines in the Sacred Province yet again.