"Junior Brother Ling Tian… your brother… he wouldn't kill even Senior Brother Yu, would he…?"
A complex mix of emotions swirled within Ye Xun'er's beautiful eyes. She truly hadn't expected that just because of her one sentence, Ling Xiao would directly seek to execute her Holy Land's true disciple. Emotionally, she found Yu Yuntian detestable, but from a standpoint of loyalty, she still felt Ling Xiao was being far too presumptuous.
"Yuntian, why aren't you apologizing to the young master immediately?!" the Holy Master of Ten Thousand Swords coldly shouted. The pressure of a Divine Emperor instantly spread out, terrifying the Holy Land disciples in the plaza so much that their legs went soft, nearly causing them to kneel.
"It seems the Holy Master still hasn't grasped my words…" Ling Xiao shook his head with a laugh.
An apology? In this world, apologies are the most useless things. Mistakes must ultimately bear consequences, so facing them squarely isn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Young Master Ling Xiao…"
"I said, anyone who dares insult my family shall die."
Sword intent suddenly surged around Ling Xiao, shooting into the heavens and shredding the clouds for miles. The space within a three-zhang radius around him shattered layer by layer, like stars being extinguished.
"Right now, I am speaking to you as the heir of the Ling Clan. If you dare obstruct me today, the experts of my Ling Clan will surely descend upon the Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land tomorrow!"
"You!!!" The Holy Master's aura sharpened, a trace of shock also evident in his eyes.
What was wrong with Ling Xiao today? Could it be he had a prior grudge against Yu Yuntian? Why was he being so aggressive?
Why?
Heh. Of course, it was to make that cheap younger brother of his feel the preciousness of familial bonds. Otherwise, how could he dissolve the resentment accumulated over seven years?
To truly destroy someone, you must first crush their spirit.
If you're going to do it, make it convincing.
"Fam… Family… He actually called me… family?" My father, my mother, my brother? Does he… does he truly consider me as important as Xuan Yuan Yue in his heart?
A look of confusion flashed in Ling Tian's eyes.
No! It must be a scheme! I don't believe it! I can't believe him!!
Ding. The Son of Fate's resolve wavers. Congratulations, Host, on obtaining 200 Luck Points and 2000 Villain Points.
"Junior Brother Ling Tian…" Seeing the Holy Master's genuine anger, Ye Xun'er felt a wave of panic in her heart. When it came down to it, the current situation was caused by her own selfishness. If the Holy Master held her accountable afterward, she would inevitably bear the blame. Moreover, although the Yu Family only had two Divine King experts, they had been entrenched in Canghai City for a long time, their roots running deep. Although Jian Nan was powerful, he couldn't just obliterate them without cause. Thus, the Yu Family's wrath would ultimately fall upon Ling Tian and herself. After all, Ling Xiao's dominance was known throughout the Eastern Territories. To seek trouble with him was little different from seeking death.
"Bro… Brother, please stop." Seeing the plea in Ye Xun'er's eyes, Ling Tian finally uttered the title he hadn't used in so long.
"Hmph, do you think if I stop today, he will be grateful and regard you with awe?" Ling Xiao's laugh was cold, even somewhat mocking. He looked at Ling Tian beside him and raised his hand to lightly pat his cheek. "My foolish little brother, enduring humiliation for seven years has cost you the Dao Heart a true powerhouse should possess. No wonder your sword is so fragile. If it weren't for you possessing… heh, with your current temperament, how could you ever stand at the pinnacle of the Great Dao?"
"You… What are you trying to say?" Looking at the cold, impassive face before him, Ling Tian felt an ache of hatred in his heart. Being lectured like this… felt indescribably… shameful.
"I want to say, as my, Ling Xiao's, younger brother, you should learn how to become a true powerhouse. If you want to be respected and admired, you must learn to be merciless and ruthless. Towards your enemies, towards anyone who looks down on you—slaughter them all. Then, no one in this world will dare disrespect you anymore. Don't… you agree?" Ling Xiao grinned, a monstrous demonic intent blazing in his eyes.
Even the surrounding Holy Land disciples felt a chill rise from the depths of their hearts upon hearing such a fallacy.
Slaughter all… who look down on you, and then no one in this world will look down on you. What a brutal, what a terrifyingly audacious idea!
Kill one man, and you are a criminal. Kill ten thousand, and you are a conqueror!
"Remember, there is nothing in this world worthy of your fear. If you worry too much, how can you achieve supreme honor?!"
Honor? Dammit! This is demonic honor!
"I'll give you a chance. Draw your sword."
Having spoken, Ling Xiao paid no heed to the complex emotions flickering incessantly in Ling Tian's eyes. His actions today should cause some change in Ling Tian's resolve. If that still couldn't change him, then this younger brother was basically useless.
Give him care, give him doubt, give him shock, and then give him just a little more time.
"You… You really think I'm afraid of you?" Yu Yuntian's face paled. He gritted his teeth fiercely, and a golden sword bursting with radiant light appeared in his hand. Simultaneously, the terrifying aura of the mid Breakthrough Realm surged out, pressing down for miles around.
"Such a fearsome presence! Although Senior Brother Yu hasn't comprehended a Dao Principle, his mid Breakthrough Realm aura is still terrifying!"
"Is Senior Brother Yu… going to uphold the honor of our Ten Thousand Swords Holy Land?"
"But… they say Ling Xiao stepped into this realm long ago, and… he's a Dao Principle monster with peerless immortal demeanor. I'm afraid… Senior Brother Yu is done for?"
"Ah, who told him to provoke Ling Tian… Can't you tell? This demon Ling Xiao is quite good to his brother."
"If he hadn't killed our Holy Land disciples, I would have been moved by his domineering attitude just now."
"Even so… Young Master Ling Xiao is still so dashing."
"Mid Breakthrough Realm? Is this your capital for bullying my brother?" Ling Xiao shook his head with a laugh. A green light gradually flowed and shimmered on the ancient sword in his hand.
"Ling Xiao, if it weren't for your comprehended Dao Principle, do you think I'd fear you?" Yu Yuntian snorted coldly, a trace of disdain actually appearing on his face.
He had heard that this Ling Xiao was arrogant and overbearing. If he could suppress his Dao Principle and fight him fairly, perhaps… there was still a sliver of hope for victory!
"Oh? So you're saying, if I don't use my Dao Principle, I can't kill you?" Ling Xiao's brow rose slightly, his tone growing increasingly sharp.
"Just as I thought, this bastard can't stand being provoked. As long as he…" But just as Yu Yuntian was secretly sneering, the Dao Principle power on Ling Xiao's ancient sword grew even more dazzling.
"But I… why should I suppress my Dao Principle to fight you? To kill someone, of course you must go all out!!"
Boom!
An overwhelming, peerless Sword Principle power instantly tore through the sky for miles. Above, dark clouds churned, and a thousand-zhang sword shadow vaguely appeared, slashing down from the heavens.
Space shattered. The Dao resonated with deafening chimes. Even the ten thousand ancient swords on the Immortal Path emitted deafening sword cries, as if ready to break through the air and fly out.
"Sword… Come!!"
Ling Xiao's figure shot into the air. He raised a single hand and then brought it down, slashing directly towards Yu Yuntian. Around him, the terrifying aura of the late Breakthrough Realm finally surged out without any reservation.
"Late Breakthrough Realm!!!"
"Ling Xiao has actually reached the late Breakthrough Realm!!"
"Too terrifying!! This level of Dao Principle power, I'm afraid…"
Boom!
Even if the Milky Way fell from the ninth heaven, it likely couldn't match the power of this single sword.
And now, watching the Dao Principle great sword crushing through the void towards him, a trace of regret finally flashed in Yu Yuntian's eyes.