Chapter 15: Astonishing Movement Techniques

Crossing a fifteen-meter void in mid-air might not seem particularly impressive in isolation.

However, a comparison makes the difference clear: currently, the best score among the Elite Hall disciples is fourteen and a half meters.

And that score was a record set by Ling Fei himself.

In other words, he had broken his own record.

At this moment, everyone was struck with shock. Ling Fei might be mediocre in other aspects, but his lightness kung fu was truly number one in the Elite Hall.

"I cannot match you!"

Ling Yixue parted her crimson lips slightly and shook her head.

"Senior Sister is too kind. My lightness kung fu is merely decent; in all other matters, I cannot catch your eye!"

Ling Fei said with a light laugh. While his words were humble, his face was filled with pure excitement.

He had gained immense face in front of Ling Yixue; how could he not be happy?

"Senior Brother Ling Fei, could you not slow your pace a little and wait for us brothers?"

"Hahaha, as long as everyone works hard, you can achieve it too. Next up is the second event."

In the second event, Ling Fei once again delivered a massive visual impact to the crowd.

From a height of eighteen meters, he leaped upward and landed gracefully. Not only was it stylish, but it was also incredibly stable.

"It's your turn next, Ling Xiao. The speed competition requires two people to go together. You should finish the first two events first," Ling Fei said with a light smile, looking toward Ling Xiao after completing the first two tests.

At this moment, everyone's gaze finally converged on Ling Xiao, though their eyes were filled with disdain and a hint of pity—much like the pity one might feel for a beggar on the roadside.

No one believed Ling Xiao's lightness kung fu could surpass Ling Fei's, including the onlookers who had been watching the excitement.

"No need for your reminder."

Ling Xiao gave a faint smile and walked to the starting line.

If judged purely on lightness kung fu, he was indeed inferior to Ling Fei; that much was certain.

However, he had practiced the *Qi Bursting Art*, which allowed him to nearly double the effectiveness of his lightness kung fu in an instant.

Surpassing Ling Fei might not be an issue.

"Hmph, just putting on an act!"

Seeing Ling Xiao standing at the starting line with such indifference, the crowd felt somewhat annoyed.

"Begin!"

As Ling Yixue's voice rang out, Ling Xiao also soared into the air.

Initially, he did not use the *Qi Bursting Art*. Every bit of true qi could be saved, as there were three events in total.

He didn't need to be world-shakingly spectacular; surpassing Ling Fei would be enough.

"Eh? This kid's lightness kung fu isn't bad. Although it lacks Ling Fei's effortless grace, it is quite disciplined."

Ling Yixue frowned slightly. She truly hadn't expected Ling Xiao to master his movement techniques so proficiently in such a short time.

At a distance of about twelve meters, Ling Xiao's body began to fall.

"Hahaha, he lost! He lost!"

"I told you, he can't compare to Senior Brother Ling Fei!"

"But twelve meters is still decent; at least he didn't make too much of a fool of himself!"

However, at that exact moment, just as Ling Xiao seemed about to hit the ground, his body suddenly seemed to be pushed by something, and he lunged forward another four meters before landing.

The scene fell into a dead silence, as if everyone had been struck mute.

"Over sixteen meters!"

Ling Yixue was the first to speak, and the surprise in her eyes had turned into shock.

What exactly was happening to this Ling Xiao? How could his progress be so rapid?

"Did I see that correctly? Is it really over sixteen meters?"

"It can't be wrong, but what's wrong with this kid? He suddenly flew out several meters just now."

"Cheating!" Ling Fei suddenly shouted.

"It is not cheating."

Ling Yixue shook her head. "As a member of the Ling family, have you not heard of secret techniques like the *Qi Bursting Art*? It is available in the Library Pavilion."

Ling Fei had, of course, heard of the *Qi Bursting Art*, but the cultivation of secret techniques had always been harder than standard techniques; the key was that the comprehension required was extremely difficult.

He had never imagined that Ling Xiao had actually learned it.

Ling Fei was indignant but helpless. He trembled with rage, yet he had no choice but to concede.

"Second event: The Heaven-Climbing Ladder!"

Ling Xiao's movements were never as elegant or ethereal as Ling Fei's, but they were highly practical.

Just like before, he used the *Qi Bursting Art* only when he felt he was about to fall.

At a height of about twelve meters, he lunged forward again, reaching twenty meters.

"Second event, Ling Xiao wins!"

He had actually won both the Void Crossing and the Heaven-Climbing Ladder!

The crowd's eyes nearly popped out of their heads; no one dared to say Ling Xiao's lightness kung fu was lacking anymore.

Although his technique lacked aesthetic flair, it was by no means weak.

"Is there still a need for the third event, Senior Brother Ling Fei?"

Ling Xiao looked at Ling Fei's face, which had turned the color of pig liver, and asked calmly.

"Compete! Why wouldn't we compete! In the way of movement, speed is paramount!"

Ling Fei's words were practically a roar.

"Is that so? I originally wanted to give you face and end it here, but why bother?" Ling Xiao said.

"Stop playing the victim! I don't believe you can win the third event!"

Ling Fei was certain that Ling Xiao's true qi must be exhausted by now, making it impossible to sustain a third competition.

If he could easily defeat Ling Xiao in the third event, he could salvage much of his dignity, or even use the opportunity to humiliate Ling Xiao.

"But there should be some stakes. I've already won; there's really no need to continue wasting time with you."

Ling Xiao had originally brought a doctor back to treat his grandfather, but instead, they had been stuck here for nearly half an hour before even entering the courtyard.

If he couldn't get some benefit out of this, he truly had no desire to continue.

"I promise you! If you can win again, I will pay for all the silver required for your grandfather's treatment!"

Ling Fei had no choice but to say this. Otherwise, if Ling Xiao refused to compete, he would have no way to force him, and his loss of face today would be even greater.

"No need, I have silver."

In the past, Ling Xiao might have accepted such terms, but now, he truly didn't care for it.

"Then what do you want?" Ling Fei bellowed.

"A Breakthrough Pill!"

Ling Xiao intended to reach at least the third level of the Martial Vein during the annual grand competition, and a Breakthrough Pill was indispensable.

"This is too much!"

"Yeah, such a high demand! Who would use a Breakthrough Pill as a stake!"

"Actually, you can't say that. Since Ling Xiao has already won two out of three rounds, he has technically already won and has no need for a third round."

There were still some reasonable people in the crowd, which gave Ling Xiao a tiny glimmer of hope for this family.

"You're unwilling to give it? Then forget it."

Ling Xiao shrugged and prepared to call the doctor to leave.

"Fine! I promise you!" Ling Fei shouted.

"Senior Brother Ling Fei, don't be impulsive!"

"Yeah, Senior Brother Ling Fei, it's not worth it!"

"Do even you all not believe me anymore?" Ling Fei's expression grew increasingly grim. From the discussions of the onlookers, he could sense that their confidence in him had shifted to doubt, which meant he had truly lost significant face just now.

Therefore, the third event had to be held; he had to reclaim his dignity.

"Senior Sister Ling Yixue, please act as a witness. These people's promises are as unreliable as anything; I dare not trust them easily," Ling Xiao said, looking toward Ling Yixue.

"Very well. If he does not give it, I will give it on his behalf."

By now, Ling Yixue had developed a profound interest in Ling Xiao's movement techniques, so she actually wanted to continue watching.