Chapter 41

Previously, Ling Dao disappeared from Zhong Zhenhai's sight at the fastest speed, then leaped up. This was why Zhong Zhenhai, when he turned around, did not find Ling Dao—because Ling Dao was already above his head.

By the time Zhong Zhenhai reacted, it was too late. Ling Dao first stomped heavily on his head, then placed the broken sword against his neck. Everything happened so quickly that the battle was already decided. If it had been a life-or-death duel, Zhong Zhenhai would already be dead.

"Good!"

Even Deputy Sect Master Zhuang Xin couldn't help but praise. Reflecting on the scene, he admitted that even if he were in Ling Dao's place, he couldn't have done better. If he were only at the Physical Body Realm, whether he could defeat Zhong Zhenhai would be questionable.

"I was right, hehe..."

Xia Xinyao seemed extremely happy. She didn't want to fight Zhong Zhenhai because it lacked challenge. Only Ling Dao, whom she couldn't see through, was the opponent she wanted. Zhong Zhenhai was too weak. If Zhong Zhenhai knew what she was thinking, he would probably be so angry that he would spit out a mouthful of old blood.

"You!"

Zhong Zhenhai's eyes widened, and he wanted to attack, but he could only reluctantly put away his steel sword when he felt the cold blade against his neck. Even with a broken sword, killing him wouldn't be difficult; it was just that he couldn't accept his defeat.

"I, a True Qi Realm martial artist, actually lost to someone at the Physical Body Realm? I was supposed to be the first among the outer disciples, but now I can only be third?"

No matter how unwilling and不服 (unconvinced) Zhong Zhenhai was, the fact remained that Ling Dao had defeated him. Zhong Zhenhai's fists clenched and unclenched several times before he finally sighed deeply.

"Ling Dao, victory!"

The elder's voice rang out, and Zhong Zhenhai seemed to lose all his strength. He had hidden for so long just to become the first among the outer disciples, but who would have thought he would lose to an unknown person.

"Ling Dao, mighty!"

"Invincible!"

"Big Brother, you must win!"

Since the start of the outer disciples' competition, more and more outer disciples had become admirers of Ling Dao. After one battle after another, Ling Dao had firmly established his position. Now, there were quite a few people supporting him.

Xia Xinyao was just a fourteen-year-old girl. It was better to let Ling Dao be the first rather than her. At least Ling Dao was a boy, and no one wanted to be constantly overshadowed by a little girl, making the Sky-Cleaving Sword Sect seem like it was dominated by women.

"Very good, your sword skills are truly impressive! This way, rest for a day, and tomorrow you will have the final battle with Xia Xinyao. The winner will be the champion of this outer disciples' competition!"

The deputy sect master seemed extremely pleased. The appearance of an excellent disciple like Ling Dao in this competition was a great thing. He even had the idea of taking Ling Dao as his disciple, for Ling Dao was truly outstanding.

"Ling Dao, huh? I look forward to our battle tomorrow!"

Xia Xinyao walked over to Ling Dao, attracting many people's attention. Despite being only fourteen, her beauty was evident. Her slender waist moved gracefully as she walked, and her developing chest was slightly pointed. Her face, like a sculpture of jade, had two small dimples that made her look extremely cute. Such a girl could become the senior sister of tens of thousands of outer disciples.

"Um, I look forward to it too!"

Ling Dao didn't say much to Xia Xinyao; he just smiled at her and turned to leave. Xia Xinyao pouted, not expecting her initiative to speak to Ling Dao to receive only a polite response.

"Hmph, bad guy, wait and see how I defeat you tomorrow!"

She waved her pink fist at Ling Dao's back, and her fierce expression made her look even cuter, though Ling Dao didn't see it. Xia Xinyao's mind was filled with thoughts of how to deal with Ling Dao the next day, and she was determined to make him pay!

"Grandpa Jiang, I'm hungry, let's go back and eat!"

As Ling Dao passed, the outer disciples made way for him. He had no qualms and went directly to Jiang Ren's side. Others were afraid of being implicated by Jiang Ren, but he wasn't at all worried.

"You little rascal, you made me worry for nothing again. When we get back, you absolutely have to drink a few cups to calm my nerves!"

Jiang Ren seemed extremely happy. Ling Dao's victory made him happier than anyone else, as if he had become younger. Ling Dao smiled and nodded, naturally having no objections. Jiang Ren was the closest person to him in the Sky-Cleaving Sword Sect.

Just as Ling Dao and Jiang Ren were leaving the training ground, an elder followed them. She wore a blue dress with golden trim and beautiful patterns. She was Xia Xinyao's master, Elder Xiao Yashuang.

"Stop!"

A cold voice rang out, and Ling Dao and Jiang Ren turned to look at Xiao Yashuang. Jiang Ren frowned, sensing something was amiss. Elder Xiao Yashuang was at a higher realm than him and was Xia Xinyao's master, so her visit was unlikely to be good.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

Ling Dao immediately saw that Xiao Yashuang was here for him. These elders seemed to be against him, but he didn't care. They were just a bunch of clowns. Once he was strong enough, he wouldn't need to worry about them.

"You don't have the right to know my name. You only need to know that Xia Xinyao is my disciple. If you lose to Xinyao, that's best. If you win, you must deliberately lose to her, understand?

Xinyao has superior talent, a top-notch genius. Qi Condensation Pills and low-grade sword techniques should be given to Xinyao. Giving them to you would be a waste. Do you know how rare a top-notch genius is? For the entire Sky-Cleaving Sword Sect, cultivating Xinyao is ten thousand times more important than cultivating you, understand?"

Elder Xiao Yashuang had a high and mighty demeanor. She lived in the eastern Sky-Cleaving Palace and was far above Jiang Ren. In her view, her personal appearance to speak to Ling Dao was already giving him enough face.

"Never mind, you don't need to understand. Just remember, tomorrow you must lose, not win! If you win and become the champion, I guarantee your days will not be easy!"

For a tenth-grade power like the Sky-Cleaving Sword Sect, Qi Condensation Pills and low-grade sword techniques were extremely precious. In Ling Dao's previous life, in the Ling family, such things, even if left on the ground, wouldn't be picked up.

"That's all I have to say. I hope you don't do something foolish. Take care of yourself!"

Elder Xiao Yashuang didn't care about Ling Dao's reaction. In her mind, Ling Dao would absolutely not defy her, unless he didn't want to live!