"Congratulations, Ling Xiao!"
Ling Yixue was the first to come over and congratulate Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao smiled. Although he was not good at expressing himself, his genuine fondness for Ling Yixue was undeniable.
Soon, the referees announced the rankings for this round of the elimination competition.
Without a doubt, Ling Xiao, who advanced with a perfect record of victories, was firmly in 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 was so badly beaten by Ling Xiao that he couldn’t compete, he only lost two matches since it was the end.
However, even so, it was meaningless as Ling Feng’s injuries were severe, and there was only one week of rest during the final competitions.
It was absolutely impossible for Ling Feng to have a chance to participate in the finals.
Unless he obtained some kind of spiritual elixir.
To say that he wasn’t happy about this first place would be impossible.
Yet Ling Xiao wasn’t too excited.
He was well aware that this first place wasn’t really significant. The key would be to win the first place in the upcoming final competition!
Nevertheless, compared to half a month ago, when he was only hoping to qualify for the annual grand competition, his progress was enormous.
Back then, who would dare to dream of being the first in the Elite Hall, let alone advancing to the top thousand?
Without a doubt, all of this was due to the awakening of the Mountain and River Martial Soul.
The special abilities the Mountain and River Martial Soul currently possessed were analysis, practice, and production.
But he always felt that this Martial Soul was not that simple. At present, the Mountain and River Martial Soul had only been enhanced to the third level. If it were to be elevated another level, would new functions appear?
They certainly would!
Ling Xiao absolutely believed in the marvel of the Mountain and River Martial Soul; he had only just touched the edge. To fully utilize it, he was still far, far away.
When the rankings of the elimination competition were announced, the disciples of Genius Hall in the stands also couldn’t help discussing.
"Hmph, wasn’t it said that this batch of disciples from the Elite Hall was very formidable? But aside from Ling Yihang and that Ling Xiao, the rest seem insignificant!"
Ling Zhan said, dismissively.
"Hehe, Ling Zhan, you shouldn’t underestimate that Ling Yixue. She still has hidden moves she hasn’t used. Be careful not to capsize in the gutter!"
Ling Shuang said, giggling.
"Hmph, they’ve barely touched the edge of Gang Qi; they’re hardly worth mentioning."
Ling Yun snorted coldly, his eyes reflecting a hint of disdain: "I originally thought Ling Yihang was going to challenge Ling Feifan and was quite formidable. But in the end, he actually lost to that Ling Xiao. What a waste!"
"Regardless, that Ling Xiao is definitely in for it!"
Ling Zhan suddenly grinned.
"Why do you say that?"
"Have you guys forgotten? Ling Yun is Ling Feng’s younger brother!" Ling Zhan said, looking at Ling Yun and smiling.
"Feng Yun! No wonder, I thought your name matched Ling Feng’s so well!" Ling Shuang exclaimed in surprise.
"Ling Xiao, haha, even though my useless brother isn’t very competitive, he’s not someone anyone can just injure. I’ll take care of Ling Xiao during the finals with ease, hmm, maybe I won’t even need to act personally. With his current strength, he can’t possibly win against any of the top ten!"
Ling Yun said with a light smile, not taking Ling Xiao seriously at all.
"Right now, I’m only considering how to defeat Ling Feifan."
As he spoke, Ling Yun looked towards Ling Xiao, his eyes filled with a hint of murderous intent.
The Mountain and River Martial Soul was particularly sensitive to murderous intent; Ling Xiao suddenly turned his head to look.
In the stands, a group of disciples from Genius Hall were looking at him with a mix of smiles and non-smiles.
There was schadenfreude.
There was also disdain!
"Ling Xiao, you must be careful. That Ling Yun is Ling Feng’s own younger brother, the second-ranked expert in Genius Hall, with strength only second to Ling Feifan!"
Ling Yixue frowned and said from his side.
Ling Xiao looked at Ling Yun, noticeably feeling the immense pressure from him.
"Martial Veins Quadruple Layer Peak!"
The information on Ling Yun that Mountain and River Martial Soul analyzed was not much, but his strength was clearly discerned.
Ling Yun had a slender build and likely wasn’t a strength-type martial artist. He was skilled with the sword, taking the path of swift swordsmanship.
"Oh? Not even afraid of my Sword Intent!"
Ling Xiao was analyzing Ling Yun, and Ling Yun was also observing Ling Xiao. What surprised Ling Yun was that Ling Xiao was not afraid of his Sword Intent.
You must know that Sword Intent is very difficult to comprehend. In the entire Ling Family, he, Ling Yun, was the only one who had grasped Sword Intent.
Yet Ling Xiao wasn’t scared, which irritated him somewhat.
"Ling Xiao, don’t think that just because Ling Yun is only at the Martial Pulse Fourth Level Peak that he can’t easily defeat ordinary experts at the Fifth Layer with his Sword Intent. It’s not only you who can challenge beyond your level, he can too!"
Ling Yixue worried that Ling Xiao didn’t know his own limitations and would provoke Ling Yun, so she quickly lowered her voice and advised.
"Sword Intent? Interesting!"
Ling Xiao of course knew what Sword Intent was – it’s something as elusive as Martial Soul itself, with awakening entirely dependent on chance.
Most people can’t awaken it in their whole lifetimes, while some comprehend it early on.
"Let’s go, everyone. There’s nothing exciting to see here. After a week of rest, the finals will begin. That will be the real show!"
Ling Yun retracted his gaze and his Sword Intent as well.
Although he was a bit surprised that Ling Xiao could withstand his Sword Intent, he didn’t pay it too much heed.
Some people are naturally strong-willed and not afraid of Sword Intent, which is normal.
Even without relying on Sword Intent, he could still easily defeat Ling Xiao.
So there was no need to care about it.
Ling Xiao also withdrew his gaze.
It seems that improving strength is imminent.
The top ten of Genius Hall are all Martial Veins Fourth Level fighters, especially the second, third, and fourth, who are all at the Martial Meridians Fourth Level Peak.
As for Ling Feifan, since he hasn’t been seen, his strength is unknown.
But it’s certain he won’t be weaker than the aforementioned fighters.
For Ling Xiao to defeat these people with his current ability was almost impossible; he needed to make a breakthrough!
The geniuses are not regarded as such just because of their strength. These people definitely have their own specialties. Underestimating them would surely not yield good results.
"Senior Yi Xue, I must take my leave!"
Having made up his mind, Ling Xiao didn’t wish to waste more time.
With his current strength, making it into the top ten of Genius Hall shouldn’t be a problem, of which he was absolutely confident.
But to defeat the top four, the difficulty was much greater.
To aim for the top three under the current circumstances would definitely not work.
And as for first place, that was even less likely.
He had once heard someone say that Ling Feifan alone fought Ling Yun, Ling Shuang, and Ling Zhan without falling behind.
And that was last year.
This year, who knows to what extent that guy has gotten stronger.
He certainly didn’t expect Ling Feifan, hailed as the Ling Family’s number one genius, to stand still and wait for others to catch up.
Seven days later would be the day the finals begin.
Ling Xiao wasn’t going to force himself to beat Ling Feifan. That would be overly ambitious.
His current goal was to ensure a spot in the top three!
Aim for first place, but secure a position in the top three!
This was without a doubt, he was very clear what it meant to secure the top three.
Right now, he had too few methods of attack and defense.
And not many means to improve his cultivation level.
So, top-tier Martial Arts were essential!
At the very least, he needed to reach the top three to qualify for the right to choose "Top-tier Martial Arts."