Chapter 49: An Unexpected Encounter with an Old Foe

Ling Yihang and Ling Feng, the peerless duo!

Perhaps the referees thought so too, which is why they deliberately placed the duel between Ling Yihang and Ling Feng at the very end.

Naturally, the duel between Ling Xiao and Ling Feng was also placed slightly later.

Letting the dark horse, Ling Xiao, travel a bit further would make the competition even more exciting.

Ling Xiao did not disappoint them. Before encountering Ling Feng, he had gone on a winning streak, even defeating several of the top ten members of the Elite Hall.

His popularity continued to soar.

Finally, after defeating everyone in the top ten except for Ling Yihang and Ling Feng, Ling Xiao faced Ling Feng.

The previous match had been the duel between Ling Xiao and Ling Yixue.

However, it hadn't lasted long.

After only three moves, Ling Yixue had proactively conceded.

With her keen insight, she knew that even if she used her Astral Qi, she would absolutely not be a match for Ling Xiao; wasting Astral Qi in such a battle was simply not worth it.

"Things are getting interesting now. Both Ling Feng and Ling Xiao have defeated Ling Yixue. They are evenly matched!"

"What kind of bullshit 'evenly matched' is that? Senior Brother Ling Feng won through sheer strength, while Ling Xiao was just given a free pass."

"Exactly. With Ling Xiao's level of strength, how could he win in just three moves? I bet Ling Yixue felt she had enough points already, so she conceded on purpose."

As expected, most people still believed that Ling Feng, who utilized Astral Qi, was stronger. As for Ling Xiao, his winning streak ended here.

"Ling Xiao, kneel and admit defeat, and I might not injure you. Otherwise, you'll be bedridden for at least a month, and you can forget about participating in the grand finals!"

At this point, only three duels remained before the end of the competition.

They were: Ling Xiao vs. Ling Feng, Ling Feng vs. Ling Yihang, and Ling Yihang vs. Ling Xiao.

Even if Ling Xiao lost all of them, he would still advance.

Therefore, the only way to prevent Ling Xiao from participating in the grand finals was to severely injure him, forcing him to abandon his ambitions entirely.

Ling Feng held Ling Xiao in utter contempt. Especially after defeating Ling Yixue, in his eyes, only Ling Yihang in the entire Elite Hall was worthy of being his opponent.

Ling Xiao smiled faintly. "Originally, I only intended to defeat you and leave it at that. But since you are so malicious, I'll let you lie in bed for a month instead."

He was telling the truth. He hadn't intended to deepen the enmity, but the other party's wickedness had changed his mind.

If no one provokes me, I will not provoke anyone.

But if anyone provokes me, I will surely strike back!

Ling Xiao's words instantly sent Ling Feng into a rage. Even at this stage, this kid still dared to be disrespectful to him!

Did he not realize? You are trying to prevent someone from participating in the finals; do you expect them to remain respectful?

Wouldn't that make him a fool?

The spectators below were also stunned.

They thought that since Ling Xiao had clearly witnessed Ling Feng's terrifying power, the fact that he still dared to stand his ground meant he must possess some real skill.

"Talk is useless. Fight! When you're lying in a hospital bed, perhaps I'll show some mercy and send some supplements over, hahaha!" Ling Feng said through gritted teeth.

"Let's begin."

Ling Xiao was no longer interested in wasting words with Ling Feng. His target was Ling Yihang.

Only by defeating Ling Yihang could he become the number one in the elimination rounds!

The number one of the Elite Hall!

Only then could he truly hold his head high!

As for winning the entire competition...

To be honest, with his current strength, he wasn't very confident. That Ling Feifan was too strong.

He still needed to continue tempering and improving himself.

Fortunately, there would be a few days of rest after the elimination rounds. Perhaps he could achieve a breakthrough in certain aspects!

*Clang!*

Ling Feng drew his longsword. It still looked like an ordinary sword, yet it still sent shivers down many people's spines.

*Whoosh!*

The longsword thrust toward Ling Xiao at extreme speed.

Ling Feng's movement technique also seemed far from weak.

"You'd better use your Astral Qi early, otherwise you won't have a chance!"

Ling Xiao only wanted to see what it felt like to fight a martial artist possessing Astral Qi.

The previous battles had been too boring for him, lacking any sense of challenge.

"You aren't worthy!"

Ling Feng did not have much Astral Qi; only one-tenth of the true qi from his first meridian had condensed into Astral Qi.

Thus, he actually didn't dare to use it excessively.

Of course, in his view, Ling Xiao was not worthy of making him use Astral Qi. With his Great Perfection level of the "Wind-Swept Willow Sword" combined with his Great Success level of advanced movement techniques, he didn't believe he couldn't win.

*Clang!*

A strange sword shadow suddenly thrust toward Ling Xiao from below. The change was so rapid that even Ling Xiao felt a momentary surprise.

Of course, it was merely a surprise.

However, the onlookers cried out in alarm, thinking Ling Xiao was about to lose.

Ling Xiao, however, remained calm. He reached out his right hand, and his two fingers clamped down on the tip of the sword.

"Get lost!"

With a burst of true qi from his fingertips, a sudden shock sent a numbness through Ling Feng's right hand. The longsword fell to the ground, and he was forced back several steps.

"This is too strong! He repelled Ling Feng so easily!"

Everyone was astonished.

Ling Xiao still stood there, composed and unruffled.

Ling Feng, however, looked extremely embarrassed.

"I told you, without using Astral Qi, you have no chance!" Ling Xiao said calmly.

"This Ling Xiao is truly a freak! A monster!"

The head referee shook his head with a bitter smile. He had thought Ling Feng was already formidable and talented enough, but he hadn't expected Ling Xiao to completely crush him without even using Astral Qi.

"Feng'er, use your Astral Qi. There is no need to hold back!" Ling Shisan's voice rang out.

Ling Feng picked up his sword from the ground and looked coldly at Ling Xiao. "Once I use Astral Qi, the speed and power of all my moves will increase several times over. You will surely lose!"

"I've heard those same words already. Stop rambling and get on with it!"

If it weren't for his desire to hone his combat skills in this fight, Ling Feng could have simply defeated Ling Xiao right now, never giving him the chance to use Astral Qi.

After all, a martial artist at the peak of the third stage of the Martial Vein cannot yet use Astral Qi freely, and every bit used is gone. It is unlike those after the fourth stage, where true qi is completely transformed into Astral Qi and can recover automatically.

As expected, Ling Feng said no more. With a shake of his longsword, his Astral Qi was unleashed.

He thrust his sword forward.

Ling Xiao merely tilted his head based on experience, yet the sword qi actually managed to tear a small patch of his clothing.

"Such a fast sword! Such a strange sword! It really has undergone a qualitative change!"

Ling Xiao suddenly became excited. He knew that relying solely on the Transformation Realm's "Bull Strength" would no longer be enough to deal with Ling Feng.

Even adding the "Qi Bursting Art" would be useless.

The "Qi Bursting Art" secret technique worked best during the Awakening Stage—that is, below the third stage of the Martial Vein. Once qi was transformed into Astral Qi, its effect became negligible.

If one broke through to the fourth stage of the Martial Vein and entered the Astral Qi stage, it would lose its effect entirely.

Therefore, Ling Xiao actually didn't want to use this low-potential secret technique too much.

Fortunately, after the "Qi Bursting Art" was devoured by the "Bull Demon Art," the "Bull Demon Art" possessed an inherent Qi Bursting effect. No matter what martial art was performed through the "Bull Demon Art," it would be twenty to thirty percent stronger. This was quite good.

Quite good indeed.

"To think you could dodge one of my moves. You're impressive, but you won't be so lucky next time!"

Ling Feng had originally thought he could defeat Ling Xiao with a single strike, but to his surprise, it had only torn a corner of Ling Xiao's clothes.

With a look of anger on his face, he shook his longsword again. The sword shadows instantly transformed into several streaks of sword light, thrusting toward Ling Xiao from different angles like willow branches.

Not only that.

His sword technique was not finished.

The Wind-Swept Willow Sword!

The "Willow" was the overt move!

The "Wind" was the covert move, and the true killing blow!

Very few people would notice that amidst those layers of willow branches, there was a gentle breeze blowing.