Tyrant Sky Martial Soul
Chapter 1325: Despicable Characters

Chapter 1325: Chapter 1325: Despicable Characters

"Impossible! The Great Sun World Lord is a highly respected elder on the Heavenly Dragon Continent, and Phoenix Immeasurable is the Divine Phoenix Emperor. How could they team up to bully a young girl?"

"I think it’s pretty strange too."

"Strange my foot! Just two old bastards!"

The crowd buzzed with discussions—some voiced disbelief, while others cursed incessantly.

"Old scoundrel, you’ve made quite a name for yourself. How disappointing it is to see you ruin your reputation in your twilight years for the sake of a single disciple."

Ling Xiao shot a faint glance at the Great Sun World Lord and said, "Do you still refuse to admit that you used illusion techniques to control Fengming Lian?"

"Hmph!"

The Great Sun World Lord snorted coldly, offering no explanation, which was tantamount to admitting it.

He couldn’t explain even if he wanted to.

The truth was plain to see—trying to clarify would only further condemn him.

After all, the martial artists present weren’t fools.

"Admitting it is good enough. By the way, Fengming Lian, earlier you mentioned Ji Mingxing’s ingratitude. What’s that about?"

Ling Xiao asked.

"I overheard a conversation between the Great Sun World Lord and him by accident. It turns out Ji Mingkong didn’t harm him at all. In truth, the person who saved him from the executioner’s blade years ago was Ji Mingkong’s own mother.

But Ji Mingxing said that he has to treat Ji Mingkong as an enemy right now to gain fame.

If that’s not ingratitude, then what is it? It’s the height of shamelessness!"

Although Fengming Lian had never been willing to marry Ji Mingxing, she had considered complying, given her mother’s insistence.

As long as Ji Mingxing had decent character, that would suffice.

But after overhearing that conversation, she was utterly disgusted by him and completely despaired of his moral character.

She never imagined someone could be so shameless.

"Haha, who would’ve thought such a story existed? Ji Mingxing, oh Ji Mingxing, you truly excel in this regard."

Ling Xiao let out a cold laugh.

From initially seeking vengeance for a friend, he now felt nothing but pure disgust for this man.

"Ridiculous! Do you think anyone would believe your words? I think you’re just looking for excuses because you don’t want to marry me."

Ji Mingxing sneered, immediately directing his insults at Fengming Lian: "Don’t think I wanted to marry you. The lowly commoner blood flowing in your veins utterly revolts me."

"You! You’re talking nonsense!"

Fengming Lian’s face flushed with anger.

She simply didn’t possess the shamelessness Ji Mingxing did.

"Miss Lian, no need to lower yourself by arguing with such a vile person. He’s discarded all semblance of dignity. Whatever you say to him is meaningless. Trust me; leave the rest to me."

Ling Xiao said, smiling warmly.

"Alright."

Fengming Lian had heard Ling Xiao’s name many times before.

In her impression, there were two Ling Xiaos—

One was the Ling Xiao described by her mother and the Emperor: arrogant, conceited, reckless, ignorant, and murderously bloodthirsty;

The other was the Ling Xiao portrayed by Feng Yanran: gentle, kind, vengeful when wronged, fiercely loyal to his brothers, and invincibly heroic.

She preferred to blend the two impressions together.

But today, the Ling Xiao she envisioned was becoming reality.

She was willing to trust this man.

"Mingxing Crown Prince, why waste words on this nobody? Let me teach him a lesson on your behalf. You are, after all, the Mingxing Crown Prince, bearer of the Holy Emperor Bloodline. Speaking with a beggar-born wretch is a disgrace to your status."

At that moment, a man leaped from the crowd.

He was clearly Ji Mingxing’s lackey—he looked around twenty years old and had an impressive cultivation level in the Eight Desolate Heaven of Heavenly Realm.

This cultivation level would have posed a challenge to Ling Xiao half a year ago.

But now, in his eyes, this man was nothing more than a clown.

Without waiting for Ji Mingxing’s approval, the man climbed the podium and unsheathed his sword.

Ji Mingxing didn’t try to stop him.

He didn’t entirely understand Ling Xiao’s strength, but if someone was willing to test the waters for him, that was just fine.

"What’s your name?"

Ling Xiao asked indifferently.

"You’re not worthy of knowing my name. When you’re about to die, I’ll tell you."

The man sneered, clearly underestimating Ling Xiao. Where did this confidence even come from?

"Is that so? Then I won’t bother asking."

Ling Xiao tilted his head slightly, smiling faintly, without even hinting at drawing his sword—this kind of trash didn’t warrant a move.

"Fine! If you won’t act, I will!"

The man roared, his longsword trembling as he unleashed piercing sword light, aiming directly for Ling Xiao’s vital points.

The shimmering sword light carried a hint of chilling sharpness.

"You have talent. If you focused on cultivating steadily for ten or twenty years, you might become a notable powerhouse. But, alas, you’re far too foolish."

Ling Xiao shook his head lightly, still refusing to act.

The man’s sword finally landed on Ling Xiao’s body.

The glowing sword light, however, froze at that moment.

From the blade, a shadow quickly spiraled upward, like parasitic tendrils, stretching from the sword’s edge to the arm and finally encompassing the entire body.

"No! What sort of evil sorcery is this?"

None among the crowd had seen Ling Xiao strike.

Because Ling Xiao hadn’t even moved.

The Ninth Mystique of Shadows—Son of Shadow!

This was the power of controlling shadows.

Though Ling Xiao himself hadn’t moved, his shadow had already acted.

At this moment, the black shadow completely enveloped the martial artist, strangling his throat with shadowy hands.

He was utterly immobilized.

His face was beginning to pale.

Ling Xiao’s solitary cultivation during his retreat wasn’t without merit. He had mastered and fully comprehended the Tenth Mystique of Light and Shadows.

Each Mystique possessed myriad applications.

The Ninth Mystique of Shadows, for instance, could be used in various ways to ultimately defeat opponents, bypassing the need to resort to other martial arts techniques.

This was what made the Light and Shadow Mystique utterly terrifying.

Each mystique, progressing further, resembled a complete and systematic martial arts discipline, continuously growing stronger with the martial artist’s cultivation and understanding.

This time, the use of the Son of Shadow mystique was nothing more than a casual display, yet it thoroughly incapacitated the Eight Desolate Heaven cultivator.

"Please, spare me! I misspoke! I lacked judgment and didn’t recognize greatness!"

Only now did the martial artist truly realize why none of the experts had dared challenge Ling Xiao despite his seemingly arrogant demeanor.

They weren’t fools—they all knew how terrifying Ling Xiao was.

Only he had been idiotic enough to provoke Ling Xiao.

"You should’ve heard of my principles: anyone who dares to utter the word ’kill’ to me generally won’t be spared. But as for you, you’re so pitifully insignificant that I don’t even feel the urge to kill. I’ll simply cripple your cultivation—consider it a lesson."

Ling Xiao stared coldly at the martial artist before him, then, in full view of the crowd, destroyed the man’s Heavenly Pulse.

"No—!"

The scream was filled with agony and regret.

Why had he stepped forward for Ji Mingxing? Simply to curry favor.

He had chosen the wrong person to side with, and now he was paying the price.