Seeing Yang Song approaching her while she was practicing, Ling Yin furrowed her brows. However, she said nothing and continued training with the swordsmanship Ling Chen had taught her.
"Oh, Little Sister Ling Yin, your swordsmanship is not bad at all."
Yang Song moved closer to Ling Yin. His eyes sparkled, for he had just discovered how breathtakingly beautiful Ling Yin was. Few women in the Five Kingdoms could surpass her beauty; it was a rarity comparable to phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
Ling Yin only spat out two words, without sparing Yang Song a glance.
"Ling Yin, how about we spar? It may help speed up your progress. As a senior, it’s my duty to guide and help newcomers," Yang Song proposed with a malicious grin.
The surrounding disciples understood Yang Song’s intentions right away. While some were eager to stand up for Ling Yin, the stern gazes from Song Hailan and Yun Tianhe nearby compelled them to back down.
"What are these jerks planning to do!" Witnessing this scene, Xiao Muyu’s delicate eyebrows arched in anger, and she was about to stand up when Ling Chen grabbed her smooth, white wrist, stopping her.
"What’s the matter?" Xiao Muyu asked, looking at Ling Chen with curiosity. Song Hailan and his group were clearly trying to get Ling Yin into trouble to intimidate Ling Chen.
"Don’t worry, it’s not yet clear who will be bullying whom," Ling Chen calmly replied.
"You’re so confident? This Yang Song is a warrior of the Nine Heavy Realm, and Ling Yin only started her training a few days ago," Xiao Muyu warned.
"Cultivation level isn’t everything, and the time one has been training doesn’t determine victory or defeat," Ling Chen said with a slight smile. "If she can’t even handle this Yang Song, then I, as her brother, will be sorely disappointed in her."
After some thought, Xiao Muyu found some truth in Ling Chen’s words. However, she stubbornly retorted, "You’re younger than me by a few years, yet you insist on acting so old and wise. Don’t let yourself be humiliated later."
Ling Chen smiled and looked at Ling Yin, who had stopped practicing and was looking at him from a distance.
Ling Chen smiled and nodded at her.
Seeing Ling Chen’s smile, Ling Yin suddenly looked up, her voice cold as she said, "Please instruct me."
Seeing Ling Yin’s bold acceptance, Yang Song was startled momentarily before sneering. What a presumptuous girl!
They stepped back a few paces as the surrounding disciples formed a circle around them. However, many observers felt Ling Yin was about to meet with misfortune.
With everyone watching, the spar began.
A moment later, the spectators’ expressions changed.
The scene they were witnessing was completely unexpected. Yang Song showed no mercy, attacking fiercely. However, Ling Yin, his opponent, met his onslaught calmly and unhurriedly. To their surprise, Ling Yin seemed to accurately predict Yang Song’s every move and methodically counter them.
In the field, their two figures intertwined. The more Yang Song fought, the more frightened he became. He felt as if Ling Yin had seen through all his techniques, leaving him with no secrets.
"Silverlight Phantom."
Ling Yin slowly uttered two words. The next moment, her body soared up like a butterfly, her speed escalating to its peak. All that could be seen was a streak of silver light rapidly closing in.
A chill ran down Yang Song’s spine. Just as he was about to raise his sword to block, a flash of Sword Light had already sent his Long Sword flying, and the tip of her sword was at his neck.
"I surrender!" Yang Song hastily retreated. Looking at Ling Yin’s icy stare, a shiver ran through his heart.
This person was terrifying. He was a warrior of the Nine Heavy Realm, yet he had been toyed with and rendered completely helpless.
The disciples glanced at each other, their eyes filled with newfound respect when they looked at Ling Yin. The initial flicker of desire they felt for her now burned even hotter.
She was likely to become another goddess among the Divine Intent Sect disciples.
To become a goddess, mere beauty is not enough. They must also possess convincing power. Although Ling Yin’s current strength might be somewhat lacking, her potential was clear for all to see.
Ling Yin sheathed her sword and looked in Ling Chen’s direction. He was giving her a thumbs-up with a wide grin, clearly very satisfied with her performance.
Seeing Ling Chen’s gesture, Ling Yin was taken aback for a moment. Then, a rare smile spread across her face, leaving many disciples stupefied.
"How were you so sure Ling Yin could defeat Yang Song?" Xiao Muyu said with a smile, her voice tinged with awe. "Ling Yin is so talented. It’s a shame the people from Cui Yu Building don’t recognize it."
"When have my instincts ever been wrong?"
At this point, Ling Chen nodded with a smile and stood up.
"What are you going to do?" Xiao Muyu queried.
"Ling Yin has done her part; now it’s my turn. They’re trying to intimidate me by proxy. I can’t just let it pass without a response." Ling Chen smiled and slowly clenched his hand around his sword hilt. "Besides, I’ve been wanting to test the results of my recent swordsmanship cultivation against someone."
Ling Chen stepped forward slowly. He walked into the field under the watchful gaze of the crowd, his gaze fixed on Song Hailan, who stood not far off with a gloomy expression.
"Senior Brother Song Hailan, I’ve made some progress in my swordsmanship recently. I would like to ask for your guidance," Ling Chen said with a faint smile.
When his voice echoed across the training field, the once noisy atmosphere seemed to quiet down for a moment. Then, astonished gazes fell upon him.
No one could have expected Ling Chen to actively challenge Song Hailan. Didn’t he realize that Song Hailan and his gang had been looking for an opportunity to cause trouble for him? Why was he willingly walking into this situation?
"Senior Brother Song Hailan is at the Martial arts triple realm. Ling Chen dares to challenge him; is he overestimating himself?"
"Yeah, I thought he would challenge Yun Tianhe. I didn’t expect him to go straight for Song Hailan."
"This is a great opportunity for Song Hailan and Yun Tianhe to humiliate Ling Chen."
The Divine Intent Sect disciples murmured among themselves, clearly thinking Ling Chen’s actions were reckless.
Amidst the many watchful eyes, Song Hailan was stunned for a moment, and then his already grim face grew even colder. A derisive laugh escaped his lips.
"It seems that after a few days in the capital and achieving some breakthroughs, you think you’ve grown wings and can act presumptuously before me, is that it?" Song Hailan stood up, his gaze full of animosity on Ling Chen.
"You misunderstand, Brother Song. I purely wish to spar with you," Ling Chen replied with a faint smile, then glanced at Yun Tianhe and softly added, "It’s normal for disciples to spar with each other, similar to how Ling Yin sparred with Yang Song. If Brother Song feels that a spar might damage his reputation, then let’s forget it. I won’t insist."
Observing the smile on Ling Chen’s face and hearing this obvious taunt, Song Hailan gritted his teeth and sneered, "Why would I? Since you’ve made this request, as your senior, I naturally must oblige you."
As he spoke the last two words, the cold glint in Song Hailan’s eyes was unconcealed. True Qi gradually enveloped his body, radiating a powerful wave outward.