At this moment, the fight on the martial stage paused. However, there was no doubt that the battle between Ling Xiao and Ling Cheng had become the focus of the competition, much like the previous battle between Ling Yixue and Ling Tieshou.
“Why do I feel like Ling Xiao’s defense is stronger than Ling Cheng’s?”
Ling Yixue, who had fought Ling Cheng before, muttered.
“Senior Apprentice Sister Yixue, that’s impossible! <Barbarian Bull Strength> is not a specialized defensive merit law; moreover, it’s just a basic martial art. How can it be comparable to Senior Apprentice Brother Ling Cheng’s advanced body-refining technique: <Vajra Technique>.”
“Ling Xiao, I admire your courage, but if your defense is only at this level, you will certainly lose today!”
Ling Cheng roared in anger.
In his initial punch, he indeed hadn’t used his full power. He had only used 70% of his full power because he had wanted to save his true qi to deal with Ling Feng later.
This time, he had no intention to hold back.
“100% power——Vajra Fist!”
Eh?
Ling Xiao frowned momentarily. Ling Cheng’s fist was obviously a lot more powerful than his previous one!
“Hmm… Then, I guess I will also use 100% of my power to withstand it!”
He casually replied, which nearly made Ling Cheng vomit blood.
What a braggart! Not using full power before? That had to be bull-crap!
“Boom!”
Another thunderous sound reverberated through the stage.
Ling Xiao remained motionless.
As for Ling Cheng, he stumbled back in shock before finally stabilizing his body with great difficulty.
Ling Cheng truly experienced the saying: the more powerful the attack, the greater the rebound if there were no follow through to the strike.
“So terrifying!”
“Who can break Ling Xiao’s defense!?”
“I don’t believe this!”
Ling Cheng removed a pair of gloves from his bosom. Those gloves were clearly forged from special materials.
“That’s a common grade treasure artifact. Generally speaking, all treasure artifacts can increase attack power by 20%.”
The higher-ups in the judge box had already discerned that these gloves weren’t ordinary.
Other than secular weapons, this world had Treasure, Spirit, True, Immortal, and Divine Artifacts!
In addition, each artifact level could be further subdivided into Common, Excellent, Rare, Immortal, and Divine Grade.
Among the Ling Clan’s disciples, only an elite few had even seen treasured artifacts; there was no need to mention spirit artifacts.
In other words, only due to their extensive experience could the judges instantly recognize the gloves.
“Hahaha, this is a common grade treasure artifact! Let’s see if you still dare to withstand it!”
Ling Cheng roared with laughter.
He was honestly ashamed that he could not break Ling Xiao’s defense, so he wouldn’t hold back anything this time.
Using 100% power coupled with a common grade treasure artifact, he didn’t believe that Ling Xiao could withstand his attack unless he also had a defensive treasure artifact.
“We’ll see what will happen! Feel free to come!”
Ling Xiao knew that it was impossible to withstand this just by relying on <Barbarian Bull Strength>. Now, he would use <Violent Qi Formula> to raise the defensive might of <Barbarian Bull Strength>. Otherwise, it would truly be troublesome.
The other party was the rank five expert of the Elite Hall. He proved that Ling Xiao still had to be somewhat wary of those he looked down on.
“Oh!”
Ling Cheng roared while punching out.
Ling Xiao instantly circulated <Violent Qi Formula>, thickening the thin film around his body. Unexpectedly, it even emitted a dim luster.
“Ah——!”
With a horrible shriek, Ling Cheng was sent flying back. This time, he couldn’t struggle back up. He collapsed on the ground.
Ling Xiao had defeated Ling Cheng, ranked fifth in the Elite Hall, without making a single move.
Everyone on the square below watched dumbstruck.
Previously, they had thought that Ling Xiao could only enter the top 20 without a problem.
Many had even thought that he might enter the top ten.
After all, Ling Ziran had defeated the eleventh ranked disciple in the 10,000 people competition.
Ling Xiao had defeated Ling Ziran. Although he would suffer some pressure to enter the top ten, it wouldn’t be unexpected.
Nevertheless, they had never expected that even against the fifth ranked Ling Cheng, Ling Xiao would win without any apparent effort.
Ling Xiao’s display was too astonishing, too eye-catching.
Now, people finally began to place him on the level of Ling Yihang, Ling Yixue, and Ling Feng.
“This child is too fearful! He actually cultivated the secret techniques <Violent Qi Formula> and <Return Qi Formula> simultaneously. Normally, martial artists at his level are unable to balance two secret techniques without their cultivation suffering.”
“Yea, just how many more secrets is he hiding? That excellent movement technique and now, these two secret techniques… I truly look forward to seeing his true abilities.”
“However, that should be his limit. He must have used all his means. I estimate that he is slightly stronger than Ling Tieshou. It is unlikely for him to be the opponent of the top three.”
“I agree, unless he has any other means he has yet to display!”
There were many higher-ups of the Ling Clan watching the competition from the shadows. They too began to analyze Ling Xiao.
Although they were surprised, they weren’t very optimistic about him surpassing Ling Feng, Ling Yixue, or Ling Yihang.
However, currently only Ling Yihang, Ling Yixue, Ling Feng, and Ling Xiao had perfect winning streaks.
Although this was only because they had yet to meet each other, Ling Xiao defeating Ling Cheng revealed his terrifying strength.
Ling Xiao was definitely a dark horse.
In truth, many people secretly supported these kinds of disrupters.
Therefore, Ling Xiao’s fame was unexpectedly shooting toward the fame of the top three, and he became the fourth most popular person in this knockout round.
Beginning as a little beggar who had been bullied and humiliated by many, he rose today to become a famous martial artist.
Besides his hard work, he naturally had to thank the Landscape Martial Soul.
If not for his awakening of his Landscape Martial Soul, he might not have reached this peak.
“Ling Xiao! Ling Xiao!”
Every time he took the stage, the crowd would chant his name. Among them were even some beautiful female disciples.
Ling Xiao had to suppress a smile.
After all, what teenager didn’t harbor amorous thoughts of spring?
After this year, he would turn 14 years old, so he had a vague understanding of the sentiments between men and women.
Naturally, he had to repay the audience’s cheers with outstanding achievements.
He continued his winning streak.
More and more people directly admitted defeat upon encountering him.
Besides those in the top ten, those who refused to immediately admit defeat were unable to withstand even one move.
Even those ranked within the top ten were unable to withstand more than three moves.
Naturally, he had yet encountered Ling Yihang, Ling Yixue, or Ling Feng.
During his battles, Ling Xiao met a few interesting opponents.
For instance, he faced Ling Chong.
In the past, Ling Chong had always bullied him, but now, he was the one being bullied. Upon running into him, Ling Chong directly admitted defeat.
Ling Chong didn’t want to break his ribs again.
Furthermore, Ling Fei, that fellow who had once challenged him to a movement technique competition, also directly admitted defeat.
In the previous 100-person chaotic battle, Ling Fei had experienced Ling Xiao’s movement technique.
He knew that he couldn’t win, so he admitted defeat to save energy.
However, the most unbelievable thing was that Ling Tieshou also chose to admit defeat.
Some people thought that he had not yet recovered from fighting Ling Yixue.
Ling Xiao knew the truth
Although this Ling Tieshou was sinister and ruthless, he was not stupid.
He had recognized Ling Xiao’s strength and decided to preserve his own to deal with other people.
After all, there was a point system. Let alone losing a match, even losing three or four was fine. However, expending a lot of strength or getting seriously injured could completely ruin their chances.
