Chapter 53: Will of the Sword

“Congratulations, Ling Xiao!”

Ling Yixue was the first to come over and congratulate him.

“Thank you!”

Ling Xiao smiled. Although he was not a man of many words, his fondness for Ling Yixue was genuine.

Soon, the referees announced the rankings for this elimination round.

Without a doubt, with an undefeated record, Ling Xiao had secured first place.

First Place: Ling Xiao Second Place: Ling Yihang Third Place: Ling Feng Fourth Place: Ling Yixue Fifth Place: Ling Tieshou Sixth Place: Ling Cheng ...

Although Ling Feng had been unable to compete due to his fight with Ling Xiao, since it was the final stages, he had only lost two matches.

However, even so, it was meaningless. Ling Feng's injuries were too severe, and there was only one week of rest before the grand finals.

It was absolutely impossible for Ling Feng to participate in the grand finals—unless he obtained some miraculous elixir.

As for this first-place ranking, it was impossible not to be happy about it.

However, Ling Xiao was not overly excited.

He knew very well that this first place was actually insignificant. If he could take first place in the upcoming grand finals, that would be the real key!

Even so, compared to half a month ago, when he merely dared to hope for the qualification to participate in the Annual Grand Competition, this progress was immense.

Back then, how could he have dared to dream of being number one in the Elite Hall? Even making it into the top thousand was a luxury.

Undoubtedly, all of this stemmed from the awakening of the Mountain and River Martial Soul.

The special abilities currently possessed by the Mountain and River Martial Soul were Analysis, Rehearsal, and Production.

But he always felt that this Martial Soul was not that simple. Currently, the Mountain and River Martial Soul had only reached Level 3. If it leveled up again, would new functions appear?

They definitely would!

Ling Xiao believed wholeheartedly that he had only touched the edge of the Mountain and River Martial Soul's wonders; he was still very, very far from utilizing it to its full potential.

When the elimination rankings were announced, the disciples of the Genius Hall in the stands could not help but begin to discuss.

“Hmph, didn't they say the disciples of the Elite Hall this year were very powerful? From what I see, except for Ling Yihang and that Ling Xiao, the rest are not worth mentioning!” Ling Zhan said disdainfully.

“Hehe, Ling Zhan, don't underestimate Ling Yixue. She still has hidden tricks she hasn't used yet. Don't let her trip you up in a ditch!” Ling Shuang said with a giggle.

“Hmph, she has only just touched the edge of the Astral Qi; she is nothing to worry about.” Ling Yun snorted coldly, his eyes filled with disdain. “I thought Ling Yihang was going to challenge Ling Feifan and see how powerful he was, but it turns out he lost to that Ling Xiao. Useless!”

“Regardless, that Ling Xiao is in for a rough time!” Ling Zhan suddenly grinned.

“Why do you say that?” Ling Shuang asked.

“Have you forgotten? Ling Yun is Ling Feng's biological brother!” Ling Zhan looked at Ling Yun and said with a smile.

“Feng-Yun! No wonder! I was wondering why your name matched Ling Feng's so well!” Ling Shuang said in surprise.

“Ling Xiao! Heh, although my useless brother isn't very capable, he isn't someone you can just harm at will. During the grand finals, I'll take care of him on the side. Actually, perhaps I won't even need to move; with his current strength, it's impossible for him to win against anyone in the top ten!” Ling Yun smiled faintly, completely disregarding Ling Xiao.

“Right now, I am only considering how to defeat Ling Feifan.”

As he spoke, Ling Yun looked toward Ling Xiao, his gaze carrying a hint of killing intent.

The Mountain and River Martial Soul was extremely sensitive to killing intent, and Ling Xiao whipped his head around to look.

In the stands, a group of Genius Hall disciples were looking at him with half-smiles.

Some were mocking. Some were gloating. Some were pitying! And some were disdainful!

“Ling Xiao, you must be careful. That Ling Yun is Ling Feng's biological brother and the second-ranked expert in the Genius Hall. His strength is second only to Ling Feifan!” Ling Yixue, who was beside him, said with a frown.

“That's Ling Yun?”

Ling Xiao looked at Ling Yun and could clearly feel the immense pressure coming from the other party.

“Martial Vein Fourth Stage Peak!”

The information the Mountain and River Martial Soul analyzed about Ling Yun was not much, but his strength was clearly identified.

Ling Yun had a lean build, suggesting he was not a strength-based martial artist. He was skilled with the sword, following a fast-sword style.

“Oh? He actually doesn't fear my Sword Intent!”

While Ling Xiao was analyzing Ling Yun, Ling Yun was also watching Ling Xiao. To Ling Yun's surprise, Ling Xiao did not fear his Sword Intent.

One must know that Sword Intent is very difficult to comprehend. In the entire Ling family, Ling Yun was the only one who had comprehended it.

The fact that Ling Xiao was not afraid made him feel somewhat irritated.

“Ling Xiao, don't be fooled by the fact that Ling Yun is only at the peak of the Fourth Stage Martial Vein. Relying on his Sword Intent, he can easily defeat ordinary experts at the Fifth Stage. Not only can you challenge those above your level, but so can he!” Ling Yixue whispered urgently, worried that Ling Xiao didn't realize the depth of the danger and would provoke Ling Yun.

“Sword Intent? Interesting!”

Ling Xiao naturally knew what Sword Intent was. It was something as ethereal as a Martial Soul, and its awakening depended entirely on fate.

Most people could not awaken it in their entire lives, while some comprehended it early on.

“Let's go, everyone. There's nothing left to see. After a week of rest, the grand finals will begin. That is where the real feast is!”

Ling Yun withdrew his gaze and retracted his Sword Intent.

Although he was somewhat surprised that Ling Xiao could resist his Sword Intent, he didn't care too much.

Some people were born with strong wills, so it was normal not to fear Sword Intent. Even without relying on it, he could still easily defeat Ling Xiao. Therefore, there was no need to dwell on it.

Ling Xiao also withdrew his gaze.

It seemed that an increase in strength was urgent.

The top ten of the Genius Hall were all Fourth Stage Martial Vein warriors, and the second, third, and fourth were actually at the peak of the Fourth Stage.

As for Ling Feifan, since he had never seen him, he didn't know his strength. But he assumed he certainly wouldn't be weaker than those following him.

It was almost impossible for Ling Xiao to defeat these people with his current strength; he had to break through!

The reason geniuses are geniuses is not just because of their strength; these people surely had their own specialties. Underestimating them would definitely lead to bad consequences.

“Senior Sister Yixue, I shall take my leave!”

Having formed a plan in his mind, Ling Xiao did not want to waste time.

With his current strength, breaking into the top ten of the Genius Hall should not be a problem; he had absolute confidence in that.

However, defeating the top four would be much more difficult.

To enter the top three, it was certainly impossible under current circumstances.

As for first place, forget about it.

He had once heard that Ling Feifan could fight Ling Yun, Ling Shuang, and Ling Zhan all at once without falling into a disadvantage. And that was last year.

He didn't know how strong that guy had become this year. He didn't believe that Ling Feifan, hailed as the number one genius of the Ling family, would simply stand still and wait for others to catch up.

The grand finals would begin in seven days.

Ling Xiao would not force himself to defeat Ling Feifan; that would be overly ambitious.

His current goal was to fight for a top-three spot!

Aim for first, but secure the top three!

This was certain; he knew very well what securing a top-three position meant.

Currently, his offensive and defensive methods were still too few. He also had few means to increase his cultivation.

Therefore, top-tier martial arts were a necessity!

At the very least, he had to make the top three to have the right to choose a "top-tier martial art."

(End of Chapter)