Chapter 42: The Best Sparring Partner

"Heh, this guy truly has a knack for making enemies; one sentence and he's offended so many people!"

Ling Yixue had actually been watching Ling Xiao all along.

She had been paying attention since he was very weak, and she continued to do so now.

"Senior Sister Yixue, how can you still be laughing? This guy actually dares to face Ling Ziran with basic martial arts—he's purely seeking death!"

"Not necessarily!"

Ling Yixue smiled, feeling a hint of anticipation.

On the other side, Ling Yihang's tightly closed eyes snapped open once more. He muttered to himself in surprise, "It looks like the people from the Genius Hall are in for a shock this time. Our Elite Hall might just end up making them lose face."

"Good! Very good! Ling Xiao, oh Ling Xiao, you ignorant fool! Today, I will show you what true strength is!"

Ling Ziran's expression was dark and terrifying. With a shake of his longsword, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

He wanted to cripple Ling Xiao!

If it weren't for the fact that this competition forbade killing, he truly would have slain Ling Xiao with a single strike.

"Pick a weapon!" Ling Ziran said, taking a deep breath.

"No need!" Ling Xiao replied, remaining as indifferent as ever.

"Die—Snake Dance Sword Technique!"

Ling Ziran let out a cold snort. As his longsword trembled, it instantly transformed into several afterimages, resembling a cluster of venomous snakes flicking their tongues.

"The 'Snake Dance Sword Technique'... an advanced sword technique! It looks like Ling Ziran is truly angry!"

From the moment Ling Ziran made his move, he had no intention of holding back.

The most terrifying aspect of the Snake Dance Sword Technique was its sinister and unpredictable nature; opponents often found it impossible to foresee the angle from which the blade would strike.

While this move lacked the sheer momentum of techniques known for raw power, the pressure it exerted was in no way inferior. It felt as if one were being targeted by countless venomous snakes, sending shivers down the spine.

However, while Ling Ziran's sword technique was strong, people were more concerned with Ling Xiao.

Everyone wanted to know if Ling Xiao was all talk. What if he claimed to use basic martial arts but actually used something else?

After all, there were no regulations regarding this. Even if he used intermediate or even advanced martial arts, no one could say anything against him.

Ling Xiao ignored the gazes of the crowd.

Ling Ziran was truly not worthy of him using a higher level of martial arts.

Basic martial arts were enough!

"Bull Strength!"

It was still Bull Strength!

Amidst a roar, the phantom image of a wild bull loomed.

Ling Xiao stood his ground, showing no intention of retreating.

It really was a basic martial art!

Is this guy insane?!

"Purely seeking death!"

"Brother Ziran, don't hold back! This guy is arrogant; he deserves to be crippled!"

After the initial shock came anger.

They had assumed Ling Xiao was merely bluffing and wouldn't dare follow through, which would have allowed them to mock him. They hadn't expected him to be so blunt—to actually do exactly what he said.

"Bastard! Go down!"

Ling Ziran's face darkened to the extreme, looking as if black liquid might squeeze out from his skin. His face was deathly pale with rage.

True Qi erupted!

The afterimages of his longsword suddenly vanished, replaced by the condensed form of a giant python!

The python roared with a deafening sound, causing the martial artists near the stage to instinctively take several steps back. A murderous atmosphere permeated the air.

"Beautiful!"

"With this strike, Ling Ziran has essentially channeled the essence of the Snake Dance Sword Technique—transforming unpredictability into immense power."

"Ling Xiao is only a third-stage Martial Vein practitioner. Even at full strength, he shouldn't be able to withstand this strike, let alone attempt to face it with basic martial arts!"

"Though Ling Xiao's performance has been stunning, he is far too arrogant. Such people don't live long."

Many people were pointing and whispering; even the high-level martial artists from the various families did not favor Ling Xiao.

*Vroom—!*

A violent roar erupted as Ling Ziran's sword struck Ling Xiao.

However, the expected scene of Ling Xiao being knocked back by the strike did not occur.

With his palms pressed together, Ling Xiao actually caught the sword.

The basic martial art "Bull Strength" had no specific forms; it focused on a particular method of utilizing True Qi. Therefore, fists, feet, and palms could all be used.

"Die!"

Ling Ziran roared hysterically, exerting nearly ten parts of his True Qi to push the power of the Snake Dance Sword Technique to its absolute limit.

He was a peak third-stage Martial Vein practitioner.

He was using an advanced martial art!

If he could not defeat Ling Xiao in one move, it would be a disgrace!

"Shatter!"

Ling Xiao's gaze remained focused on the sword in Ling Ziran's hand. Suddenly, he channeled True Qi into both arms.

A loud *crack* echoed through the air.

The longsword in Ling Ziran's hand actually shattered, breaking into seven or eight pieces!

Due to the backlash of his True Qi, Ling Ziran spat out a mouthful of blood and stumbled back several steps before finally stabilizing himself.

Looking at Ling Xiao, he stood there without having moved an inch, showing no intention of pursuing the attack.

"Impossible! This is impossible!"

Ling Ziran completely lost his composure. He could not believe what had just happened.

It had clearly been a full-power strike, yet not only had he failed to wound his opponent, he had instead had his weapon shattered by the opponent's True Qi.

What a humiliation!

"What just happened?"

The spectating disciples were also dumbfounded. They had imagined many possibilities, but they truly had not expected this.

"Someone lend me a weapon! My sword is too poor!"

Refusing to believe he had lost to Ling Xiao, Ling Ziran blamed the failure of his attack on the quality of his sword. Well, while that might not be entirely incorrect, shifting all the responsibility onto the weapon was quite shameless.

"Ling Ziran, catch!"

The first to speak was actually Ling Feng, who tossed his own sword to Ling Ziran.

His sword was a precious blade, naturally far superior to an ordinary common sword.

Most people might not understand why he was helping Ling Ziran. Only Ling Feng knew his own heart; he was somewhat wary of Ling Xiao and wanted to use Ling Ziran to thoroughly probe Ling Xiao's true depth.

"Thanks!"

Having received the precious sword, Ling Ziran looked at Ling Xiao and said, "This time, you are doomed!"

"Snake Dance Sword Technique: Giant Python Swallows!"

The same technique! The same move!

Ling Ziran clearly intended to use the superior sword to complement his technique and achieve a total victory over Ling Xiao.

To be fair, the sword in Ling Ziran's hand was indeed excellent, and it did cause Ling Xiao some degree of trouble.

However, since he had dared to let Ling Ziran take the sword, he was not afraid.

"Bull Strength!"

Let the storms rage; I shall remain as steady as Mount Tai!

No matter how hysterical Ling Ziran became, or how crazed with anger he was, the expression on Ling Xiao's face never changed. He remained calm and indifferent throughout.

It was as if, in his eyes, Ling Ziran was not even worth mentioning.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Through continuous exchanges, Ling Xiao never used any other martial arts, fighting Ling Ziran solely with Bull Strength.

He did this to hone his combat experience. With such a good sparring partner as Ling Ziran, how could he miss the opportunity to practice?