On the Martial Arts Platform, Ling Yun looked at Ling Shuang as if she were the butt of a joke.
Though Ling Shuang was strong, she was no match for him. The fact that she dared to challenge him was sheer foolishness!
Such was Ling Yun’s personality; he did not tolerate any weaker party daring to challenge his authority and status.
That was unforgivable.
Observing the two, Ling Xiao let out a faint smile. He was definitely going to challenge Ling Yun, so this fight was one to watch closely—to see just what Ling Yun was capable of.
"Soft Water Sword Technique!"
Ling Shuang was the first to make a move.
Because she was very clear about Ling Yun’s strength. If she didn’t strike first, there would be no chance at all.
The Soft Water Sword Technique, as the name suggests, is a rather Yin and pliant style of swordplay, and the choice of weapon is particular as well.
It had to be a soft sword!
At this moment, the soft sword in Ling Shuang’s hand stabbed towards Ling Yun at an extremely strange angle, like a poisonous snake.
The sword technique might seem soft,
but that was just appearance. When it hit its target, it could still cause great harm.
A top-level sword technique?
Ling Xiao couldn’t help but frown slightly, not bad for the disciple ranked third in the Genius Hall, indeed already possessing top-level martial arts.
The top-level defense martial art that Ling Ji previously displayed was but an incomplete fragment, and it was already very impressive.
Most disciples of the Ling Family actually only possess advanced martial arts as their best skill.
Only the top three geniuses in the annual competition of the Genius Hall are qualified to obtain top-level martial arts.
Ling Shuang was third last year.
Even though Ling Shuang’s top-level sword technique "Soft Water Sword Technique" was only at the Elementary Realm, far from being proficient,
A top-level sword technique is a top-level sword technique after all, and its power is much more terrifying than most Perfect Realm advanced martial arts.
These are the characteristics of the Soft Water Sword Technique.
With his Mountain and River Martial Soul, Ling Xiao could easily analyze the subtleties of this set of sword techniques.
"A year has passed, and your Soft Water Sword Technique has only reached the Elementary Realm. To think you dare face me in combat, you’re simply overestimating your abilities!"
Ling Yun sneered coldly and did not even use a weapon, directly blasting a punch towards her.
The punch was so fast that it firmly struck at the weakest link in Ling Shuang’s Soft Water Sword Technique.
Ling Shuang quickly used her Light-work Skill to retreat several steps, nearly falling off the Martial Arts Platform.
Only then did she barely neutralize Ling Yun’s punch.
"Ling Shuang, I’m giving you face. It’s still not too late to concede now. Otherwise, it’s not going to be pretty later!"
Ling Yun didn’t pursue the attack. He just looked at Ling Shuang from a distance, his gaze filled with thick disdain.
"Senior Brother Ling Yun is too strong. Without even using his most proficient sword techniques, he easily resolved Senior Sister Ling Shuang’s Soft Water Sword Technique!"
"That punch wasn’t just any ordinary technique. That must be a Perfect Realm advanced punching technique. But even that alone wouldn’t have been enough to overcome Ling Shuang’s sword strike. Rather, it’s his quality of Gang Qi that’s too strong. I’m afraid he has already touched the verge of the Peak Fifth Level Martial Pulse!"
There were knowledgeable people among the audience, who had analyzed why Ling Yun was able to suppress Ling Shuang with a single punch.
"Ling Yun, there’s no need for you to hold back. I dared to challenge you today because I’m not afraid of humiliation!"
Ling Shuang’s stubbornness was apparent in her character. Although she knew she was bound to lose, she refused to concede. Otherwise, today’s battle would surely become a demon in her path of cultivation.
It was also the Tyrant Fist, but when Ling Yun executed it, it was with a real domineering might, far more fierce than Ling Ji’s Tyrant Fist.
As the punch was thrown, it was as if a Supreme Being had descended, with golden Gang Qi enveloping his fist, emitting a thunderous roar.
In that instant, Ling Yun seemed to become a completely different person.
The terrifying aura that shook the air gave many disciples near the Martial Arts Platform severe headaches and roiling blood.
"Although it’s just a Perfect Realm advanced martial art, when this guy executes it, it’s simply more terrifying than a top-level martial art, be it at Small Success or even Proficiency. Indeed, for martial arts to be powerful, one’s own cultivation level must keep up!"
Ling Xiao felt a pang of emotion, Ling Yun was far more powerful than Ling Shuang.
This guy did not employ sword techniques.
Nor did he need to display his Sword Intent to steadily suppress Ling Shuang.
No wonder he felt he was qualified to challenge Ling Feifan, although his character left much to be desired, the guy’s strength was no joke.
"Soft Water Sword Dance!"
That was a defensive maneuver within the Soft Water Sword Technique.
At this point, Ling Shuang had no way to dodge Ling Yun’s attacks, so all she could do was defend.
A sound akin to an explosion arose on the Martial Arts Platform, almost blasting a cone-shaped hole over five or six meters in the protective barrier.
And that was merely the Gang Qi that had passed through Ling Shuang’s body.
Ling Shuang was sent flying without any suspense.
She could barely stand at the edge of the platform, but a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out, staining the ground red.
Although hurt by this scene, Ling Xiao knew that this was actually nothing; in the grand competition, choosing the wrong opponent could at most result in spitting blood.
But once outside, choosing the wrong opponent meant death!
"Two moves! Brother Ling Yun is too terrifying, defeating the third-ranked sister Ling Shuang in just two moves!"
"Indeed, Sister Ling Shuang is not that weak."
"Maybe I should try challenging Ling Shuang in the next round?"
All kinds of comments came from below the platform.
However, Ling Xiao could tell it wasn’t that Ling Shuang was weak, it was that Ling Yun was too strong.
Ling Yun, having won the match, did not look at Ling Shuang, but instead glanced at Ling Xiao, who sat in the tenth position.
Before his decisive battle with Ling Feifan, he planned to get rid of Ling Xiao first.
"Ling Xiao! If you’re still a man, challenge me in the next round! You still have four challenge opportunities anyway, losing won’t be shameful!"
Ling Yun suddenly said.
"You don’t need to provoke me, I’ve been eager to experience your Sword Intent!"
Ling Xiao originally planned to challenge Ling Yihang in the next round and then challenge Ling Yun after winning, but now he changed his mind.
Because waiting was pointless; Ling Shuang couldn’t force Ling Yun to use his Sword Intent, it was unlikely that anyone other than Ling Feifan could.
So challenging sooner or later made no difference.
Moreover, he had many hidden cards, even if he revealed one or two during the match against Ling Yun, it wouldn’t matter much.
"You think you’re worthy of making me use Sword Intent? That’s a joke!"
Ling Yun let out a cold laugh and went back to his seat.
In his view, his goading had succeeded, and now he just had to wait for Ling Xiao to challenge him in the next round.
Then he could take his revenge for his brother while suppressing this overbearing newcomer.
After Ling Shuang’s challenge, it was Ling Yun’s turn.
He simply cast a glance at Ling Feifan and said, "After I’ve dealt with that kid, I’ll challenge you in the next round!"
Ling Feifan responded indifferently.
Ling Yun chose to forfeit this round, but everyone understood why; they had all heard Ling Yun’s words just now. He was going to settle the score with Ling Xiao and avenge his brother before challenging Ling Feifan in top form.
As for revealing his trump cards.
Ling Yun never even considered it because he didn’t think Ling Xiao was qualified to force him to reveal them.
His target was Ling Feifan, the only one he couldn’t defeat, the only one he could.
Ling Feifan was his inner demon, so he had to be the one to defeat him; he figured he would really go mad if someone beat Ling Feifan before him.