"Heh, it seems it's time to resolve this twisted fate."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly, his figure flashing as he instantly appeared on the battle stage.
At the same time, the remaining one hundred and fifty-nine prodigies also stepped forward, rushing towards this spot.
Those who could stand here now, aside from the top few freaks of the Eastern, were all gathered in small groups of three to five, moving together.
As for so-called dark horses...
In this kind of chaotic free-for-all, even the darkest horse probably couldn't withstand being hammered by ten thousand people!
Ling Xiao glanced at Lin Xi in the crowd, whose face was bruised and swollen, his aura feeble, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Good, you're dark enough, resilient enough!
Worthy of being the man I, Ling Xiao, have set my sights on!
Huh?
That sounds a bit strange.
"Now, you may compete for the top three positions. If any of you are confident you can overpower the rest, step forward. The victor will receive a Top Grade Divine Artifact."
The Tai Xuan Dao Master glanced calmly at the crowd, his gaze lingering on Ling Xiao for a moment longer.
"Ling Xiao, fight... with me."
Finally, after the atmosphere had been suppressed for a good while, Nian Qingyun's voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, instantly attracting the attention of everyone present.
"Huh? Did I hear that right? Divine Maiden Nian actually wants to... challenge Young Master Ling Xiao?"
"But Young Master Ling Xiao didn't even claim a top three spot. Is Divine Maiden Nian... bringing trouble upon herself?"
"What do you know? This is called 'beating is intimacy'. It's Divine Maiden Nian's unique way of expressing love. She probably wants to show off their affection to the entire Eastern."
"So that's how it is... It seems in the future, if I like a girl, I should beat her every day too, so she knows the depth of my love for her!"
"Precisely, precisely!"
"Very well. Since you wish to fight, I will accompany you in this battle."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly and stepped to the center of the battle stage.
At this moment, both Lin Xi and Xia Chen felt a surge of intense excitement flash in their eyes.
Especially Lin Xi, whose body began to tremble inexplicably again.
It would be best if Nian Qingyun could kill Ling Xiao here today.
That way, I would have a chance to reconcile with Divine Maiden Nian in the secret realm.
"Ling Xiao, you promised me. If I win this fight, you will agree to annul the engagement. From then on, you and I... will be strangers."
Nian Qingyun stood before Ling Xiao, her peerlessly beautiful face carrying a trace of coldness.
But the flicker of panic in her bright eyes did not escape Ling Xiao's notice.
Is the Great Dao truly without emotion?
Or is it, as Ling Xiao said, that my Ethereal Dao Palace has limited my understanding?
"What? Annul the engagement? Is Divine Maiden Nian serious?"
"Senior Brother, didn't you just say... Divine Maiden Nian's actions were just to express affection?"
"This... Well... According to my calculations, Divine Maiden Nian probably can't win. So isn't this still... flirtatious banter through fighting?"
Upon hearing this, the crowd's eyes showed a degree of agreement.
Seems... that makes sense.
"Fine. If you defeat me today, forget annulling the engagement, I'll give you my life. But if you lose, don't forget our previous agreement..."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly, thunderous radiance instantly surging around him, startling many onlookers into stepping back voluntarily.
Buzz.
Before him, a spiritual light also flickered in Nian Qingyun's bright eyes, like the clear mist of the highest heavens, pure and peerless.
Shing!
The Nine Calamities Sword left its sheath, and the wind and clouds instantly shifted. Nian Qingyun's figure suddenly vanished from her original spot.
The Ethereal Dao Principle was formless, intentionless, and unpredictable.
But in Ling Xiao's eyes, it was mere child's play.
A wisp of clear light descended from the sky as Nian Qingyun's figure tore through the air like a ghost.
Spiritual light surged magnificently on her jade-like hand, transforming into an overwhelmingly sharp edge as she swung her sword down.
"What a ruthless woman. You truly wish to murder your husband."
Ling Xiao exclaimed in false surprise, though a trace of mockery remained in his eyes.
Even though Nian Qingyun was among the top talents of the Eastern, if he wanted to kill her, it wouldn't take much effort.
But acting too powerful in front of Lin Xi and Xia Chen now might dampen their enthusiasm.
Appropriately giving them some hope, making them think they stood a chance, was necessary for the plan to proceed smoothly.
As his shout faded, the thunderous radiance around Ling Xiao soared into the sky, pressing towards the ancient sword in Nian Qingyun's hand.
But since he was intentionally feigning weakness, and Nian Qingyun was striking with all her might, the sword slash almost met no resistance, shattering the boundless thunderous light and descending towards Ling Xiao's head.
"Hmm?"
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly, pretending to be terrified. His figure flashed and instantly appeared several zhang away.
"Ling Xiao!! If you have the skill, don't dodge!"
Nian Qingyun shouted lightly. The moment her feet touched the ground, she vanished again.
Ling Xiao simply watched the peerlessly beautiful figure appearing before him with a calm expression. In the next instant, a sinister and wicked smile suddenly curled at the corner of his mouth.
You want to forget me?
Well... I just won't let you!
"Wife, do you really want to kill me so badly?"
Ling Xiao stood still, not dodging, just looking calmly at Nian Qingyun as he asked softly.
"Do you really want to annul the engagement so much? Are you really not the least bit moved by me?"
"Correct! Ling Xiao! I want to kill you, to end this twisted fate!!"
Nian Qingyun's words were icy, but a strange sense of loss tugged at her heart.
Am I really... not the least bit moved?
Yes! How could I possibly be moved by a scoundrel like him!!
Boom!
A vast, clear radiance bloomed around Nian Qingyun.
On the Nine Calamities Ancient Sword in her hand, Great Dao runes flickered brightly and dimly, like a primordial dragon ready to slay all enemies in this world.
"It seems you really... despise me."
Ling Xiao looked at the sword radiance tearing through space with a sorrowful expression and surprisingly dispersed all the spiritual power around him.
"Huh? What is this scoundrel trying to do now?"
For a brief moment, hesitation flickered in Nian Qingyun's heart.
But merely an instant later, the shock in her eyes was replaced by absolute resolve.
I can't believe him again!
A scoundrel like him, who always values his life above all else, how could he possibly drop all his defenses before an enemy!
It's a scheme!
This guy must be brewing some malicious trick again!
Thinking this, Nian Qingyun not only cast aside all hesitation but even pushed her Dao Principle to its limit.
"Dammit! What is Ling Xiao doing?"
In the crowd, Ling Tian clenched his fists, his expression turning grave.
But...
Why am I nervous?
Right! I just don't want him to die by someone else's hand!!
Afterimages streaked like lightning. It seemed as if thousands of figures of the Divine Maiden charged furiously towards Ling Xiao on the battle stage.
But just as the sword was about to pierce Ling Xiao's chest, he reached out and firmly grasped the ancient blade.
Even now, he still hadn't used a shred of spiritual power.
Blood sprayed from the sword tip, nearly splashing onto Nian Qingyun's face.
Even Ling Xiao's hands, gripping the sword, were soon soaked in blood.
He stood there, gazing gently at the woman before him, a faint smile even lingering at the corner of his mouth.
"So, is this what you wanted? Nian Qingyun, you've won. The engagement between us is hereby annulled."
"But... Nian Qingyun, in a world without you, why would I cherish this life?"
Boom!
It was like calamitous thunder falling, like rivers and seas flowing backward, like a gale sweeping through the heavens, like the beginning... of the world's end.
Nian Qingyun stared blankly at the handsome, resolute face before her. Her heart trembled violently, began to shatter, until finally... tears streamed down.