"Let me see just how much of the true essence of the Sword Dao you've grasped in these seven years."
Ling Xiao sneered coldly. The cyan light on the ancient sword in his hand suddenly ignited.
At first, it was just a single point of cold light, but in the end, it transformed into a vast ocean, piercing through heaven and earth.
Meanwhile, the divine radiance of the ancient sword in Ling Tian's hand seemed to dim instantly.
Buzz!
Peerless sword intents collided mid-air. But under the pressure of Ling Xiao's Major Achievement stage Dao Principle, Ling Tian's offensive lasted only a moment before shattering into a sky full of flowing light, blooming in the heavens like fireworks.
Witnessing this scene, the entire Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land once again fell into dead silence.
Everyone stared at the white-robed youth holding the ancient sword, his starry robes resplendent. In their eyes, besides shock, there was also a deep intoxication.
Peerless sword bearing?
This Ling Xiao... he was practically a Sword Immortal reborn!
They weren't unfamiliar with seventeen-year-old Dao Principle prodigies.
But the level of Dao Principle power just now had clearly transcended the Manifestation stage!
Ling Tian was already stunning enough, but compared to Ling Xiao, he still seemed slightly lacking.
"Young Master Ling Xiao!!! I love you!! Please notice me!"
"I'm going to lose it!Young Master Ling Xiao!! I'm going to lose it for you!!"
Exclamations like roaring mountains and tidal seas erupted. Even the Holy Master of Ten Thousand Swords now looked at the two figures atop the peak with awe in his eyes.
These two young masters of the Ling Clan truly live up to being brothers.
Whether it's Ling Xiao or Ling Tian, the Sword Dao talent they displayed today is enough to crush an entire generation.
What a pity!
What a pity.
Even though Ling Tian had joined their Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land, he was ultimately... a member of the Ling Clan.
Meanwhile, at the end of the Immortal Path, Ling Tian stared blankly at the cyan ancient blade halted just half a foot above his head, a trace of confusion flickering in his eyes.
Why?
He still didn't kill me?
Clearly, just another half-foot downward, and I would have been cut in two.
Moreover, today's battle was provoked by me alone.
Even if Father blamed him afterward, Ling Xiao could easily justify it as acting under duress.
So why... why won't he kill me?
Could it be... to humiliate me?
Yes!
He must want to humiliate me.
"Why are you so weak? So weak that I've lost all interest in killing you. It seems the hatred in your heart still isn't enough. My foolish little brother, if you want to kill me, you'll have to try much harder." Ling Xiao sneered, the flat of his sword slapping Ling Tian squarely across the face, his expression full of mockery.
"You!!!" The pain Ling Tian felt was worse than death.
Why!!
Why, after enduring for seven years, drawing my sword time and again, comprehending the Dao Principle, do I still fail to withstand a single strike from him?!
Am I truly... a good-for-nothing?!
No!! It's because of my Dantian Sea!!!
If I had a Dantian Sea, the one kneeling in weakness today should be him!!!
Watching the young man's shifting expression, a smile tugged at Ling Xiao's lips. Then, he deliberately adopted a profound tone, "Actually, before your mother passed away... Ah, forget it. Little brother, on this path of immortality, no one will give you a second chance. Next time... you will die."
Still not enough. The timing still isn't ripe enough.
The hatred isn't deep enough, so the enlightenment isn't thorough enough.
After speaking, Ling Xiao actually turned and walked directly down the mountain, leaving Ling Tian standing frozen in place, unable to react for a long time.
Before Mother passed away?
Dammit!
When Mother passed away, you were just an infant yourself. Could she have left you a dying message?
Or did she tell you to dig out my Dantian Sea when I was ten?
But... why didn't he kill me, nor humiliate me further?
'If you want to kill me, you'll have to try much harder.'
What does that mean?
Is he... spurring me on?
No!!
He is clearly humiliating me!!
Arrogant!
Ling Xiao!! You are too arrogant!!
Just you wait. Soon, when my Dao Principle reaches Major Achievement, I will definitely cut you down with my sword!!
Ling Tian roared inwardly. In the end, he still lifted his foot and followed Ling Xiao down the mountain.
The Holy Master of Ten Thousand Swords was still waiting in front of the hall. Although he had lost to Ling Xiao today, the talent he displayed... was probably enough to make these Holy Land disciples submit, right?
One day, when I firmly hold the position of Holy Son of Ten Thousand Swords, I won't be... all alone anymore.
You are the Young Master of the Demon Sect. I am the Holy Son of Ten Thousand Swords.
How much superiority will you have left in front of me then?
Ding, the Son of Fate's resolve wavers. Congratulations, host, on obtaining 200 Luck Points and 2000 Villain Points.
---
"Heh heh, so Young Master Ling Xiao has arrived." Watching the white-robed youth walking slowly down from the Immortal Path, the Holy Master of Ten Thousand Swords, no matter how unwilling, still proactively stepped forward to greet him.
After all, the behemoth that was the Ling Clan involved many intricate connections; it wasn't something their Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land could afford to provoke.
Moreover... this Ling Xiao was holding another of their Holy Land's inherited Dao Artifacts, the Ancient Si Xie Sword.
The fact that this sword was placed at the end of the Immortal Path clearly indicated its terrifying power.
Figuring out how to skillfully retrieve it from the hands of this Ling Clan Scion... that was a task requiring finesse!
However, at this moment, Ling Xiao's gaze wasn't fixed on him. Instead, he was frowning slightly, looking towards the graceful figure in yellow robes within the crowd.
A Fate-Bearing Woman, accompanied by a Dao Principle, her Luck Points also reaching 2000.
Marvelous!
I never expected that coming to teach that cheap younger brother a lesson today would yield such an unexpected harvest.
But...
Just as Ling Xiao lifted his foot, intending to walk towards her, he saw the young girl's figure dart out first, running towards him.
And on her exquisitely beautiful face was actually a trace of faint... urgency?
Holy crap?
Is my charm really that blatantly obvious now?
Does this Fate-Bearing Woman want to throw herself into my arms upon seeing me?
But just as Ling Xiao was about to reach out and embrace the running girl, her figure brushed right past him, heading towards the area behind him.
"Hmm?" Ling Xiao's expression froze momentarily. When he turned to look, he saw the yellow-robed girl's jade-like hands had already grasped Ling Tian's hands.
I... Dammit!
I was too presumptuous.
My lifelong reputation nearly got buried here in the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land.
This matter of misreading signals... well, it has always been a common ailment among villains.
"Se... Senior Sister..." Ling Tian at this moment was also somewhat flustered.
Especially with the envy and hatred visible in the eyes of the surrounding Holy Land disciples looking at him, he instinctively felt a sense of fear.
He might possess peerless sword talent, but the environment he grew up in inevitably left some flaws in his character.
It was unavoidable—a lack of security.
But before Ling Tian could struggle, a strand of emerald green spiritual light suddenly bloomed from Ye Xun'er's body.
The music of the Great Dao resounded, spiritual currents overflowed.
A rich wave of life force instantly spread out. The injuries Ling Tian had sustained on the Sword Path began to gradually heal.
Especially the hairline fractures on his meridians; nourished by this life force, they disappeared almost visibly.
Holy crap!
A healer!!
This is a top-tier healer!
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly, a moment of contemplation flashing in his heart.
The Dao Principle of Life—he had long since detected the Dao Principle power on this yellow-robed girl.
If he could plunder it, in future battles, he would no longer have to worry about injuries.
Even if he didn't kill her, capturing her and having a genius girl who comprehended the Dao Principle of Life by his side... as long as he wasn't killed in one strike, he could revive at full health on the spot?
Thinking about it this way, this girl does seem... quite appealing?
"Senior Sister... I... I'm mostly fine now..." Ling Tian's face was flushed red. Especially feeling the warmth from the girl's palms, it inexplicably stirred some peculiar emotions within his heart.
"Don't speak! The sword pressure on the Immortal Path is incredibly terrifying. If the injuries aren't eradicated completely, it might affect your future cultivation." Ye Xun'er's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She gave Ling Tian no chance to struggle, her jade hands gripping his palm even more firmly.