Chapter 48: The First Appearance of Gangqi

"Ling Yixue versus Ling Feng!"

After several more rounds, a heavyweight matchup began.

Ling Yixue, ranked second in the Elite Hall, faced off against Ling Feng, ranked third.

Naturally, this battle once again drew everyone's attention, including Ling Yihang and Ling Xiao, the two current undefeated contenders.

"Ling Yixue! Ling Yixue!"

"Ling Feng! Ling Feng!"

In terms of fan base, Ling Yixue and Ling Feng were quite evenly matched.

One was an exceptionally gifted beauty.

The other was a genius disciple of the clan.

Each had their own supporters.

Consequently, when they stepped onto the stage, the stands erupted with frantic shouting and cheers.

"Ling Yixue, you have rejected my affections many times, which is an insult to me! Today, I will make you regret it completely!"

To Ling Feng, Ling Yixue was his ideal partner.

As for Ling Yu, she was merely a substitute.

Unfortunately, it was a case of unrequited love; Ling Yixue did not care for him at all.

In today's duel, he naturally sought revenge.

"Matters of the heart cannot be forced, especially since my only focus right now is cultivation!" Ling Yixue said indifferently.

Her face remained as calm as a still pool, seemingly unbothered by Ling Feng's provocation.

*Clang!*

Ling Feng's longsword unsheathed!

The "Wind-Swept Willow Sword" traced irregular sword marks, alternating between fast and slow in a manner that was impossible to track.

The most terrifying aspect of this sword technique lay in its unpredictability.

Just when you thought it was fast, it would suddenly slow down.

Just when you thought it was slow, it would suddenly accelerate.

Ling Yixue did not dare to be careless. She thrust out both palms, and a chilling frost erupted, making the very air seem to freeze.

The crowd below didn't even dare to breathe heavily.

After all, this was a duel between the second and third ranked fighters.

*Clang!*

In an instant.

Her frost-covered palms met the unpredictable longsword.

However, after only a light contact, the sword suddenly changed direction, thrusting toward Ling Yixue's waist.

Combat is not always about brute force.

While the power of Ling Feng's "Wind-Swept Willow Sword" might not match the "Frost Palms," its unpredictability far surpassed them.

However, Ling Yixue was no pushover.

As the sword lunged, she retreated her figure, easily evading the strike.

"Sigh, Ling Yixue lacks family support and relies solely on her own efforts. Without the ability to transform Qi into Astral Qi, she might lose!"

After a dozen moves, Ling Xiao shook his head slightly.

He actually hoped Ling Yixue would win, but seeing this, Ling Feng's sword techniques were truly not to be underestimated, and the sword in his hand was a high-grade mortal treasure.

Ling Yixue, on the other hand, was fighting empty-handed, which was inherently a disadvantage.

On the field, they traded blows, having already exchanged hundreds of moves!

Yet, neither side was injured.

Ling Feng's sword had not even grazed the hem of Ling Yixue's clothes.

And Ling Yixue had been unable to wound Ling Feng.

In terms of pure martial skill, perhaps the two were evenly matched.

The battle quickly entered a stalemate, and someone in the referee's seats began to keep an eye on the time.

However, it would be difficult for the referees to judge a winner.

Because the two were clearly equal, neither could harm the other.

It looked as though it would have to be declared a draw.

"Everyone, it appears this match will end in a draw," the head referee said, looking around at the others to consult.

"That is not necessarily so. Feng'er has not yet used his trump card!"

The speaker was not a referee, but Ling Shisan, who had stood near the referee's stand at some unknown point.

He was Ling Feng's father.

"Another trump card?"

The referees were startled; they did not believe Ling Shisan was merely being hyperbolic.

To say such a thing must have a reason.

"Look! The situation on the field is changing!"

Suddenly, someone shouted, causing everyone to hurriedly look up.

On the martial stage, the battle had indeed undergone a massive shift.

After approximately two hundred moves, Ling Feng evaded one of Ling Yixue's palm strikes, then suddenly retreated and swept his sword across in a casual motion.

It seemed like an ordinary strike, but it unleashed a bizarre sword qi!

*Whoosh!*

*Ding!*

"Ugh!"

Although Ling Yixue blocked the sword qi, her defense was still pierced, and a small hole was punched through one of her arms.

With a muffled groan, she was sent flying off the stage.

"Astral Qi!"

Ling Yixue looked up at Ling Feng, a flash of surprise in her eyes.

However, it was merely a flash of surprise.

"Forget it, let him win. I cannot reveal my Astral Qi at this time!"

She possessed Astral Qi as well, and even more than Ling Feng, but she had her own plans; she intended to use her Astral Qi during the grand finals. There was no need for it now.

"It is actually the transformation of Qi into Astral Qi! No wonder Ling Shisan is so confident; his son has actually condensed Astral Qi!"

In the referee's seats, everyone was astonished.

While there were many martial artists at the peak of the third stage of the Martial Vein, those truly capable of comprehending the transformation of Qi into Astral Qi were as rare as phoenix feathers.

They hadn't expected this session of the Elite Hall to produce two people who had mastered Astral Qi.

"Ling Shisan, oh Ling Shisan, your son has hidden himself deeply. To only use Astral Qi now... his talent is truly staggering. It looks like a spot in the top ten of this grand competition is already his," the head referee remarked with emotion.

Ling Shisan only smiled faintly. "The Elder overpraises him. My son has only a rudimentary understanding of Astral Qi."

Despite his words, the excitement on Ling Shisan's face was uncontrollable.

His son, Ling Feng, was only fifteen years old. To enter the top ten of the Genius Hall at this age was already extraordinary.

"Ling Feng wins!" the referee announced the result.

"Strange, why does it feel like Ling Yixue didn't use her full strength?"

Ling Xiao rubbed his chin in confusion. Although the result was out, he had a lingering feeling.

Ling Yixue was still stronger than Ling Feng; she was simply hiding something.

"Ling Feng! Ling Feng!"

Defeating Ling Yixue caused Ling Feng's popularity to soar instantly, even showing signs of surpassing Ling Yihang.

After all, the spectators did not know exactly how terrifying Ling Yihang truly was.

"Yixue, why bother? Are you planning to use your Astral Qi against me?"

Ling Yihang appeared beside Ling Yixue at some unknown moment, asking indifferently.

"How could I? I only want to have a bit more leverage for the grand finals," Ling Yixue replied, not hiding it since she had been seen through.

"Don't worry, I'll deal with Ling Feng!"

Ling Yihang said simply, then closed his eyes again, as if no match on the field could interest him anymore.

Ling Feng glanced at Ling Yihang and felt a sense of boredom, then looked at Ling Xiao, his brow furrowed with disdain and malice.

*You're next, Ling Xiao!*

"Brother Feng, you're amazing!"

Before Ling Feng could even step down, Ling Yu actually rushed onto the stage and threw herself into his arms, casting a provocative glance at Ling Xiao.

Her expression seemed to say: *So what if you defeated me? My Brother Feng will avenge me.*

Ling Xiao merely smiled faintly.

*How foolish. Do you think that by condensing a sliver of Astral Qi, you can suppress me?*

*You are only qualified to force me to use the "Bull Demon Art: Savage Bull Transformation."*

*However, your "Wind-Swept Willow Sword" is not bad. I'll play with you for a bit later.*

The competition continued. After Ling Yixue's loss, only three people remained undefeated: Ling Yihang, Ling Feng, and Ling Xiao.

In everyone's eyes, Ling Xiao was merely a supporting character.

Ling Yihang and Ling Feng were the peerless duo of the Elite Hall; their duel would undoubtedly be the grand finale.