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ED Note: I love it when Ling Qingxue gets the spotlight in a battle! What do you think happens after? Will Yang Lie be able to avoid her attack, or will he tank it?
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Yang Lie's challenge drew derisive laughter from the students of Lingtian Middle School.
To be honest, this declaration of war was downright brainless. Leaving aside the fact that a martial artist's strength was inherently linked to their magical beast, what was wrong with a powerful magical beast?
If only a martial artist's own strength were considered, then what was the point of having a contracted beast?
"Yang Lie, you little bastard, why didn't you say that when you were using your rank to intimidate people?"
"You're a real coward! Dare you say that again?!"
"Damn it, all of you, get him! Kill this bastard!"
The students of Lingtian Middle School erupted in anger.
On the stage, Yang Lie's face was grim, but he still stubbornly looked at Ling Qingxue.
Fight Wu Liang?
Not in a million years would he dare utter such words.
Even with Chen Xiao's special potion, he absolutely couldn't withstand a single slap from Wu Liang—that was certain.
That guy was a terrifying being who could fight Xuan Tianwen's magical beast, the Thunder Flood Dragon, without being defeated!
Let alone fighting, just looking him in the eye made his legs weak.
Yang Lie swallowed hard. "I admit I can't beat your magical beast, but since you call yourself a genius, surely you wouldn't be afraid to accept a martial challenge?"
Below the stage, Chen Xiao looked at Lin Yutang with a slight smile.
"Apologies, Teacher Lin. Yang Lie has a penchant for combat—he simply wishes to spar with a true prodigy. What do you say?"
His gaze swept coldly over Wu Liang, a hint of fervor in his eyes, as if he had seen a rare treasure.
"If Qingxue is willing to go up on stage, she will," Lin Yutang replied calmly.
Wu Liang, perched on Ling Qingxue's shoulder, flapped his phoenix wings, and his massive body instantly appeared on the fighting arena.
He slammed down with his paws, instantly leaving a huge claw mark on the granite platform. If this attack had landed on a person, they would have been turned into mincemeat.
Yang Lie swallowed hard, his heart pounding like a drum.
"Ling, Ling Qingxue, if you don't want to accept the challenge, just say so. There's no need to intimidate me with your beast. I'm not easily frightened!"
However, Ling Qingxue didn't even glance at him from beginning to end.
Her eyes were fixed on Chen Xiao, the dean of students at Nanhua Middle School.
Her Spiritual Master technique, the Imperial-Rank 'Divine Star Ten Thousand Manifestations', made her extremely sensitive.
Just now, she could clearly sense a faint killing intent emanating from Chen Xiao.
"Come down, I'll handle him." Ling Qingxue transmitted her voice.
Wu Liang glanced contemptuously at Yang Lie, then flew out of the arena.
He could crush someone like Yang Lie with a single claw; there was no need for him to intervene. A Second Rank late-stage cultivator like the Grumpy Empress was more than enough.
Ling Qingxue stepped onto the fighting platform, holding a basic low-grade longsword. She had obtained it from killing Lin Lang and hadn't replaced it since.
Yang Lie's face lit up with joy as he dismissed the Fiery Lion.
"Ling Qingxue, don't blame me for using my rank advantage. You're a genius. You shouldn't be fighting against someone of the same rank. Only by fighting above your level can you truly showcase your talent, don't you agree?"
Ling Qingxue frowned slightly. "Make your move already. Don't waste my time!"
Yang Lie gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with anger.
Damn it, she completely disregarded him!
He had to defeat her and humiliate her!
Yang Lie gripped his Fiery Staff tightly, unleashing the fully mastered 'Blazing Sun Staff' technique. Boundless heatwaves surged towards Ling Qingxue.
He wanted to test whether he could defeat her without the potion.
If he could defeat her, he might be able to enter the "Big Three" ahead of schedule!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three consecutive staff strikes were unleashed, all easily dodged by Ling Qingxue.
Even the most powerful staff techniques were useless against an opponent who couldn't be struck. This was why footwork was considered the nemesis of most ranged martial arts.
Ling Qingxue remained calm, her spiritual power sweeping across the entire fighting arena as she wielded her longsword.
In an instant, countless spirit formations rose from the ground.
With the Spiritual Master's Heavenly Eye, she could set up more complex killing formations, even composite ones!
As for the spirit formation in front of her, it was called 'Autumn Water Without a Trace'!
Autumn Water was the primary element, supported by the other Five Elements. Each step concealed deadly intent, but the true killing intent lay with Ling Qingxue herself.
This was a spirit formation she had created; with continuous expansion, it could reach the Imperial Rank. Its power was terrifying.
Yang Lie's pupils constricted, his grip on his staff tightening even more.
Was this for real? Setting up countless spirit formations in an instant, and then combining them into a composite formation—was this a high school student?!
Even though Ling Qingxue's level was lower than his at this moment, he dared not underestimate her in the slightest.
"To ensure everything goes smoothly, I should drink the potion!"
Without much thought, he unleashed a large burst of flames to conceal himself, then secretly poured the potion into his mouth.
Instantly, a blazing power surged into his body like magma, a violent aura emanating from him.
There was indeed a stinging sensation, but... more than anything, there was the exhilarating feeling of possessing power!
"I'm going to defeat you!"
His attacks rained down like a storm, his long staff leaving afterimages as he swung it, even shattering many of the spirit formations set up by Ling Qingxue.
Seeing this, Ling Qingxue's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint appearing on her face.
Taking forbidden drugs in combat is a grave taboo for martial artists!
Her spiritual power surged forth from her fingertips once more. Autumn Water Without a Trace solidified again, while her sword pointed directly at Yang Lie.
Below the stage.
Lin Yutang looked at Chen Xiao with icy eyes.
"You people at Nanhua High School really stop at nothing! Using banned drugs in a mere fight! Get out of Lingtian High School immediately after this!"
Chen Xiao smiled faintly. "Teacher Lin, you misunderstand. It's just a recovery potion. Yang Lie has already fought several matches. A little recovery potion isn't unreasonable, is it?"
"No use trying to argue. I will report this to the principal!" Lin Yutang snorted coldly, his fists clenched.
He wasn't worried that Yang Lie could hurt Ling Qingxue. After all, Wu Liang was there; with his speed, he could easily send Yang Lie flying.
It was simply that this kind of behavior was utterly shameless. No one could tolerate it.
"Damn it! Nanhua has no shame! So many people and no honor!"
"Using banned drugs during a fight? You think we can't see through you hiding in the flames? It's like taking off your pants to fart! If it's a recovery potion, you'd just drink it!"
"Close the school gates and let the dogs out! Don't even think about leaving Lingtian today without an explanation!"
The Lingtian Middle School arena was buzzing with discussion.
But Yang Lie didn't care about any of that. He only knew this was a mission the school had given him, and his mind was clouded after taking the drug. He only remembered that he had to defeat Ling Qingxue.
"The winner takes all, the loser is nothing! Whoever wins is the true prodigy! Shut your mouths!"
Veins bulged on his forehead, as if he had transformed into a ferocious beast, attacking Ling Qingxue with reckless abandon. His speed and attack power increased exponentially.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The ground cracked, the spirit formation shattered, and nothing could stop him!
He was going to defeat the so-called prodigy!
He would become the ultimate prodigy in everyone's eyes!
Ling Qingxue landed gracefully, her face as calm as still water.
She slightly raised her hand, conjuring a large bow in her palm with her spiritual power.
A spiritual array formed the string, her longsword the arrow!
Her fingers hooked the bowstring, and the longsword curved into a crescent moon.
Behind her, a long dragon formed from the Autumn Water element.
"Autumn Water Without A Trace, A Single Arrow, A Dragon Soars!"