On the viewing platform, Fourth Elder Ling Wei telegraphed to Sixth Elder, "Sixth Elder, I didn't expect you to care so much for Xiaohong, actually getting her such a pair of blades."
The Sixth Elder gave a dry laugh and said, "That girl loves daggers and practices diligently. A little reward isn't too much."
Among the direct descendants of the Ling family, if a young person reached the Xuanzhe level, they would at most receive a first-level, mid-level, or high-level weapon. This was quite common. However, for someone like Ling Hong, who had just entered the Xuanzhe realm, the Sixth Elder had given her a set of low-level, second-level weapons. This was truly rare. The Fourth Elder said with a sly smile, "Yes, we should be more generous with the children. We should give them what they deserve."
The Sixth Elder observed the Fourth Elder's disapproving smile, then cast his gaze upon Ling Tian on the stage. Noticing the sword on Ling Tian's back, his heart trembled. "Could it be..."
On the stage, Ling Tian wasn't surprised by Ling Hong's unsheathed Twin Moon Swords. Instead, he said playfully, "Do you think you can bridge the gap between us with weapons? You're so naive."
"Hmph, you'll never know until you try!" Ling Hong snorted coldly. With a flick of her delicate hand, her twin crescent-shaped swords swung towards Ling Tian.
"You ungrateful woman! I'll show you that even in a weapon fight, I'm no worse than you!" Ling Tian snorted unhappily. With a jolt of his body, the rapier on his back flew out like a soaring dragon.
A flash of red light shone upon the stage.
"Another low-level, second-tier sword!" someone in the audience exclaimed. "It's the Flame Sun Sword, the one that can emit fire-attributed sword energy. It's even more powerful than the Twin Moon Sword!"
"It seems Ling Hong is doomed to fail."
...
Ling Xiao, from the audience, curiously observed the two men's weapons. He hadn't expected them both to be wielding low-tier, second-grade swords. He'd seen second-grade swords in the weapon shop, and they'd cost at least a few thousand gold coins. Damn, he hadn't expected them to just casually pick one up. It looked like he'd have to ask his clan leader, grandfather, for one or two to play with.
Ling Li, standing by, seemed to sense Ling Xiao's thoughts and said calmly, "When you become a Xuanshi again, maybe I'll give you your Golden Emperor Spear as a reward."
The Golden Emperor Spear, a mid-tier, second-grade weapon, was secretly given to Ling Xiao by Ling Cang when he achieved Xuanshi status two years ago. Later, when Ling Xiao's meridians were completely damaged, Ling Cang took it back. Ling Xiao curled his lips and said, "When I become a Xuanshi, I'll at least have Xuan weapons. Why use these junk?"
Ling Li twitched his face and ignored Ling Xiao's words, as he'd ignored them.
To be called a Xuan weapon, a weapon had to reach the third level. In Meteorite City, there were only a handful of Xuan weapons, and the Ling family only had one, the family's only Xuan weapon, which was obtained from Master Li, the only third-level weapon refiner in Meteorite City. And now Ling Xiao was asking for a third-level Xuan weapon. Isn't that just wishful thinking?
On the stage, Ling Hong hadn't expected Ling Tian to also use a second-level sword. Remember, last year, Ling Tian was still using a high-level first-level sword. Now, having been promoted to a mid-level Xuanshi, he had received the same reward from his family's grandfather as her, a low-level second-level sword. She had relied on the advantage of her weapon, but she disappeared without a trace.
However, she was born to be a person who refused to admit defeat easily, brandishing the Twin Moon Sword and charging forward. However, Ling Tian was superior to Ling Hong in both strength and experience, and Ling Hong was soon forced to fight from side to side.
At this point, Ling Hong was forced back to the edge of the ring by Ling Tian's sword strike, nearly falling off the stage.
Ling Tian didn't attack again, but instead held his head high and said indifferently, "Will you go down, or shall I knock you down?"
"Asshole!" Ling Hong stomped her foot and cried out delicately. She gathered all her profound energy and swung her two swords in a cross motion, creating a tangled web of sword light that was dizzying and threatened to decapitate anyone who wasn't careful. This was Ling Hong's most powerful killing move, called "Strangling Moon."
The Sixth Elder on the stage stood up and shouted, "Xiao Hong, you're fooling around! How could you use such a desperate move?" The Sixth Elder knew full well that Ling Hong's move was incredibly powerful, and even a typical mid-level profound practitioner would likely suffer. This was just a competition; there was no need for a life-or-death duel. Moreover, Ling Tian was the prized grandson of the Fourth Elder beside him. If Ling Hong injured him, it would be a huge feud.
The Fourth Elder wasn't as excited as the Sixth Elder, but said firmly, "A competition requires true skill. If Xiao Hong truly manages to force Xiao Tian off the stage, it's only because he's not well-trained. Sixth Elder, don't worry."
The Sixth Elder sighed softly and returned to his seat. However, before he could settle, he stood up again.
He had seen Ling Hong fly off the stage, sent flying by Ling Tian's sword. On the stage, Ling Hong, repeatedly provoked by Ling Tian, nleashed her own powerful attack, intending to teach Ling Tian a lesson. However, Ling Tian wasn't one to let her be bullied; he had a powerful final move.
Ling Tian's playful smile deepened as he faced her attack. Then, he leaped into the air, shouting, "Scorching Sun."
The Flaming Sun Sword emanated a powerful murderous aura, its dazzling crimson light intensifying. Like a rainbow, the long sword slammed towards Ling Hong's twin swords, its crimson radiance like a blooming sunflower, a truly beautiful sight. "Ding-dong."
"Bang!"
Ling Hong's Twin Moon Swords and Ling Tian's Flame Sun Sword clashed fiercely, sending the weaker Ling Hong flying off the stage. Fortunately, Ninth Elder Ling Fu waved his hand, and invisible profound energy instantly supported Ling Hong, preventing her from falling too terribly. However, she still sustained internal injuries, and blood flowed from the corners of her mouth, her eyes still shone with a fierce, unyielding look.
Ling Tian casually tossed the Flame Sun Sword into the air as if it were a trivial matter. With a twist of his body, the Flame Sun Sword returned to its sheath with perfect precision.
"You overestimate your abilities," Ling Tian snorted coldly, then gracefully left the stage.
The audience was initially silent, then roared with laughter. "Ling Tian just used...used a Yellow-grade sword technique?"
"Aren't Yellow-grade sword techniques only practiced at the Xuanshi level?"
"That's the theory, but Xuanzhe levels can also practice them. It's just that his Xuanli isn't released, so he can't unleash its true power. Right now, Ling Tian has only unleashed one percent of the power of this move. If he reaches the Xuanshi level, and his attributes match those of the sword technique, then this move would absolutely kill Ling Hong instantly."
"That's so powerful! Then when I reach the Xuanzhe level, I'll also practice Yellow-grade Xuan techniques."
"Hmph, did you think it was that easy to cultivate? It's best not to cultivate before you know your own attributes. Otherwise, practicing a technique that counteracts your own attributes will ruin your cultivation. Ling Tian's family all have fire attributes, so when he advances to the Xuanshi stage, he'll definitely have fire attributes, too. That's why he dares to cultivate in advance!"
Ling Xiao closed his eyes, recalling Ling Tian's move. After a moment, a knowing smile appeared, and he muttered to himself, "It was just a move to take advantage of the situation, but it was executed well."
With Ling Tian's battle concluded, the first round of the martial arts test ended, and the drawing of lots for the second round began.
Because one of the matches in the first round ended in a draw, the winner had already forfeited, so there was no odd number in the second round. Ling Xiao didn't have the chance to be lucky again. In the second round, he would have to face one of them no matter what. The list of those who advanced to the second round was as follows: Ling Xiao, Ling Hu, Ling Xing, Ling Li, Ling Hua, and Ling Tian. Ling Xiao was the weakest, a mere low-level Xuanzhe, while the others were all mid-level Xuanzhe or above.
The six went up to draw lots one by one. Ling Xiao drew number two, unexpectedly facing Ling Tian, ho drew number six. Others might consider this lucky, as he hadn't drawn a high-level Xuanzhe, so his loss wouldn't be too disgraceful.
Ling Tian approached Ling Xiao and chuckled, "Former genius, I think you'd better give up as soon as possible, otherwise... you'll lose miserably."
Ling Xiao was puzzled by Ling Tian's repeated hostility towards him, but since he was being provocative, he wasn't afraid. He said nonchalantly, "I hope your strength is as formidable as your mouth."
Ling Tian snorted, "It seems you're just as clueless as Ling Hong."
Ling Xiao stared directly at Ling Tian, uttering a few words indifferently, "You're sick!" He then turned and walked back to his original seat. Ling Tian clenched his fists tightly, his expression grim. He was about to attack Ling Xiao, but he suppressed the urge, muttering, "How dare you, a useless talent, be so arrogant? I'll make sure you learn how to write the word 'death' later."
Ling Tian and Ling Xiao had no previous grudges, but Ling Xiao's previous talent was simply too astonishing. Ling Tian, year younger than Ling Xiao, was no less talented, but he was overshadowed by Ling Xiao. At first, he worked hard to catch up with Ling Xiao, and like all the other children in the Ling family, he idolized and modeled him. Later, realizing that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't catch up, his admiration gradually turned to jealousy. Finally, Ling Xiao suddenly became a cripple, and Ling Tian couldn't help but gloat over his misfortune.
Now that Ling Xiao had risen again, Ling Tian was in danger. He feared his own brilliance would be overshadowed once again, and he couldn't help but harbor hatred for Ling Xiao. He planned to severely humiliate Ling Xiao in the competition, hoping to completely defeat him and prevent him from making a comeback. This is a world of the strong, but also a world where the weak are exploited by the strong. Every elder aspires to reign supreme, while every younger generation aspires to be the brightest rising star. In this harsh reality, everyone rises to prominence by stepping on the strengths of others, even brothers and sisters. The winner takes all; the loser is the rule of survival here. Only by overcoming all obstacles can one become a revered and powerful being admired by all.
The next round of competitions will witness the rise of the new generation of the Ling family. The first match will pit Ling Xing against Ling Hua. In his first match against Ling Zhi, Ling Xing didn't expend any profound energy, preserving his strength perfectly. However, Ling Hua was different. He was only a mid-level profound practitioner, a small level below Ling Xing. Furthermore, in his first match, he faced an opponent of the same level, and fought for over a hundred moves before finally securing victory. Although he wasn't seriously injured, he had already depleted most of his profound energy. In this match, facing the more powerful Ling Xing, he knew he had to win, but he also wanted to lose with dignity, so he insisted on standing on the ring.
After Ninth Elder Ling Fu announced the start, Ling Xing smiled faintly at the pale-faced Ling Hua and said, "If you can withstand one of my attacks, I'll surrender this match."
Ling Hua glanced at Ling Xing with confusion at first, then clenched his sword and said firmly, "Come on." He thought to himself, since he was going to lose anyway, was he really not going to be able to withstand a single attack from Ling Xing? Ling Xing chuckled sinisterly, "Hehe, then just take it."
After laughing, Ling Xing kicked off, and his entire body shot out like an arrow, moving incredibly quickly. He placed one hand behind his back, the other already on the hilt of his sword. Just as he reached the braced Ling Hua, he shouted, "Qing Mang Gui!"