Yi Xiaoyao’s expression turned grim. Although his Sword God heritage was far superior to a Ninth Grade Immortal Soul’s, he was at a significant disadvantage in one respect.
Those with a Ninth Grade Immortal Soul heritage could begin their Cultivation directly at the Ninth Realm of the Qi Condensation Realm. Coupled with their aptitude, their Cultivation speed far surpassed that of an ordinary Immortal Soul inheritance. As a result, Jin Lingfeng had already advanced beyond the Qi Condensation Realm and entered the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Yi Xiaoyao, on the other hand, had started his Cultivation from scratch and had only now reached the Seventh Realm of Qi Condensation.
The gap between two major Realms like Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment was enormous—there was simply no comparison.
Everyone present understood this, and they all glared at Jin Lingfeng with shared indignation.
Yi Xiaoyao sneered. "Jin Lingfeng, challenging someone in the Qi Condensation Realm when you’re in the Foundation Establishment Realm... Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"
Jin Lingfeng replied nonchalantly, "I don’t care what others think. If you’re the one who doesn’t dare to accept my challenge, you’re just admitting that you’re all trash."
’With the Cultivation speed granted by my Sword God heritage, it won’t be long before I can defeat Jin Lingfeng. But right now... it’s completely impossible,’ Yi Xiaoyao thought, frowning.
Just as Yi Xiaoyao was trying to figure out a plan, Tang Zhong suddenly stepped forward.
"Who says we don’t dare! I, Tang Zhong, will face you today on behalf of the Fortress Master!"
With that, Tang Zhong leaped onto the dueling stage. "Jin Lingfeng, I am also at the First Realm of Foundation Establishment, just like you. If you want to challenge our Fortress Master, you’ll have to get through me first!"
Yi Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop him. ’Tang Zhong and Jin Lingfeng have comparable Cultivation, but when it comes to actual combat experience, Tang Zhong is clearly stronger after training in a sect for three years.’
Tang Ruoxue whispered a few words in Jin Lingfeng’s ear, apparently introducing Tang Zhong to him.
After listening, Jin Lingfeng grinned, glanced at Yi Xiaoyao, and then leaped onto the dueling stage without a second thought.
"Fine! Dealing with you first before I defeat your Fortress Master is just a minor inconvenience."
Yi Xiaoyao and the other youths stared intently at the stage. Without another word, the two men unleashed their Spiritual Power and clashed.
It had to be said that after three years of Cultivation in a sect, Tang Zhong had mastered many Spiritual Skills. His every move sent cracks ripping through the air.
"Tearing Tiger Claw!"
With a fierce shout, Tang Zhong’s right palm formed a claw and struck at Jin Lingfeng. Enveloped in yellow Spiritual Power, it took on the formidable shape and power of a tiger’s claw.
The Tang Family youths cheered wildly, and even Yi Xiaoyao’s eyes lit up with interest.
’So this is the Foundation Establishment Realm... Spiritual Power that can take physical form. It truly is on a completely different level from the Qi Condensation Realm.’
Jin Lingfeng grinned and roared, "Mad Elephant Fist!"
In the next instant, Spiritual Power erupted from Jin Lingfeng’s body, and the faint shape of a colossal elephant materialized behind him.
The full Momentum of the attack converged on his right fist, and as he charged toward Tang Zhong, the air filled with the sharp sound of a trumpeting elephant.
Seeing this move, Yi Xiaoyao’s pupils contracted violently.
’This Mad Elephant Fist is clearly a very high-level Spiritual Skill. Its intricacies far surpass Tang Zhong’s Tearing Tiger Claw, so its power goes without saying.’
As Tang Zhong’s claw met Jin Lingfeng’s fist, a shocking ripple of energy and an explosive bang spread rapidly in all directions.
After a single exchange, the disparity in their power was clear.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!
Tang Zhong’s face fell as he stumbled backward, cutting a pathetic figure.
’Just as I thought. Faced with such a disparity in the grade of their Spiritual Skills, even Tang Zhong’s rich combat experience was useless.’
There was another crucial factor. The power of Spiritual Power from a Ninth Grade Immortal Soul heritage was on a completely different level than the power from Tang Zhong’s Fifth Grade Immortal Soul.
It was the same principle that made Yi Xiaoyao’s Dark Spiritual Power far superior to all other kinds.
"Hah! And here I thought you’d be strong after three years of Cultivation in a sect. Turns out you’re nothing special!" Jin Lingfeng sneered.
Tang Zhong’s expression was grim, his heart burning with rage. He pushed himself off the ground and charged forward again, his Body Technique a blur of motion.
Jin Lingfeng gave a vicious smile as his immense Spiritual Power erupted. Behind him, the phantom of the colossal elephant materialized once more.
But this time, there were two!
"Go down!"
With his roar, the two elephant phantoms followed his fist, crashing toward Tang Zhong.
Tang Zhong gritted his teeth and let out a low growl. He put forth every ounce of his strength, and a staggering amount of Spiritual Power ignited along his arms as he countered with a furious blow!
The resulting shockwave from this thunderous collision was far more powerful than the last.
"PFFT!"
Blood instantly sprayed from Tang Zhong’s mouth as the force of the elephants slammed him to the ground.
In just two exchanges, Tang Zhong was defeated!
The youths below the stage were all aghast. The two men were at the same Cultivation level, yet the gap in their strength was immense.
Even Yi Xiaoyao’s brow was tightly furrowed. ’This Jin Lingfeng... he’s just too strong!’
Jin Lingfeng planted a foot on Tang Zhong’s chest and taunted, "Trash will always be trash! Your three years of Cultivation can’t even compare to ten days of mine! What right do you have to fight me?"
A strange smile then played on his lips. He jutted his chin toward Yi Xiaoyao and beckoned with his index finger.
"Yi Xiaoyao, now it’s your turn! Do you dare to come up here and accept my challenge?!"
Jin Lingfeng raised his head arrogantly, his voice ringing out, sending a tremor through everyone present. All eyes turned to Yi Xiaoyao.
Yi Xiaoyao’s expression shifted. ’In this situation, if I refuse, it’s the same as admitting I don’t have the guts to fight him.’
’But if I accept, with such a massive gap in our Cultivation, defeat is certain!’
’No matter what I choose, there’s no good outcome.’
At this moment, more than anything, he craved power!
After a moment of hesitation, Yi Xiaoyao’s gaze turned resolute. He looked at Jin Lingfeng on the dueling stage, and at Tang Zhong pinned beneath the man’s foot. He steeled himself and made his decision.
’I am Yi Xiaoyao! How could I possibly cower in fear!’
"I accept—"
Yi Xiaoyao leaped onto the dueling stage, but just as he was about to accept the challenge, Tang Zhong suddenly cut him off.
"Fortress Master! Wait!"
Tang Zhong coughed up a mouthful of blood and turned to Tang Ruoxue. "Tang Ruoxue! Don’t you forget, until you marry into the Jin Family, you are still a part of the Tang Family!"
Tang Ruoxue trembled. ’What Tang Zhong said is true. If Yi Xiaoyao loses today, the Tang Family will surely punish me for colluding with an outsider to humiliate the Fortress Master.’
’If the Tang Family puts me in confinement, there’s nothing the Jin Family will be able to do.’
At this thought, Tang Ruoxue’s expression flickered. She said to Jin Lingfeng, "Lingfeng, let it go. Even Tang Zhong, a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, was no match for you, let alone Yi Xiaoyao. What difference does it make whether he accepts the challenge or not?"
Jin Lingfeng frowned. He understood her implication, of course.
"You dare threaten Ruoxue!" he snarled at Tang Zhong.
The next moment, Jin Lingfeng viciously kicked Tang Zhong toward Yi Xiaoyao, then turned, leaped off the dueling stage, and walked away.
Yi Xiaoyao rushed forward to catch Tang Zhong. Seeing him spit up another mouthful of blood, he flew into a rage.
"Jin Lingfeng! Get back here!"
Hearing Yi Xiaoyao’s furious shout, Jin Lingfeng just smirked.
"Trash like you isn’t qualified to make me stop."
Leaving that remark behind, Jin Lingfeng didn’t even slow his pace.
Yi Xiaoyao started to chase after him but was held back by Tang Zhong’s firm grip.
"Tang Zhong, what are you doing!"
"Fortress Master, let them go."
Tang Zhong looked at Yi Xiaoyao with a bitter smile. "Otherwise, I took this beating for nothing."
Seeing Tang Zhong injured and humiliated for his sake, Yi Xiaoyao felt the sting of it as if it were his own pain. His eyes turned crimson with rage.
"Tang Zhong, I will not forget what happened today!"
Just then, the surrounding Tang Family youths swarmed over.
"Yi Xiaoyao! This is all your fault! Tang Zhong was injured and humiliated because of you, and you’re just going to let it go like that?"
"We actually used to admire your talent for Cultivation, but now we see you’re nowhere near Jin Lingfeng’s level!"
"Yeah! There’s no way we’ll ever acknowledge you as our Fortress Master now!"
The youths were filled with righteous indignation, their eyes burning with anger.
Hearing this, Yi Xiaoyao lowered his head slightly, his expression hidden from view.
"When did I ever say I was going to let this go?"
"Three days from now, when Jin Lingfeng comes to the Tang Family Castle to marry Tang Ruoxue, I will make sure he leaves lying down!"
Yi Xiaoyao’s voice was unnervingly calm, but everyone could sense the terrifying force beneath that tranquility.
"Make Jin Lingfeng leave the Tang Family Castle lying down?"
The youths were all stunned, their faces etched with disbelief.
’The gap in Cultivation between Yi Xiaoyao and Jin Lingfeng is enormous. There’s no way he can catch up in just three short days.’
Then, they sneered. "Fine! If you can really avenge Tang Zhong and defeat Jin Lingfeng, we’ll pledge our absolute loyalty to you from that day forward!"
Yi Xiaoyao slowly raised his head, his calm gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"I told you before," he said. "If I want to earn your loyalty, it’s simple."
With that, he helped Tang Zhong up and walked away through the crowd.