Chapter 17: The Standard Comeback—The Legendary Elder

Qin Lang grew more exuberant the longer he fought, his martial techniques growing increasingly deft. By the end, he no longer bothered to strike with his fists; with both hands clasped behind his back, the relentless flurry of his kicks alone was enough to keep the entire squad of security guards at bay.

“What a bunch of weaklings—so this is all you can do? Is there no one here with any real skill? Don’t waste my time!” he sneered.

Ming Cheng spat viciously. “Bah! Young Master, I can’t take it anymore. That brat is insufferable!”

Ling Xiao replied coolly, “Go ahead.”

“At your command!” Ming Cheng grinned, stomping the ground with force. His body blurred, becoming a shadow that shot forward.

Qin Lang was still reveling in the fight when, suddenly, an overwhelming pressure pressed against his back. His pupils shrank in alarm. “Not good!”

He spun and punched, meeting Ming Cheng’s kick head-on. Instantly, Qin Lang was sent flying, crashing through several tables. When he landed, blood spewed from his mouth and one arm hung limp at his side.

“What terrifying strength!” Qin Lang’s expression turned grave as he glared unyieldingly at Ming Cheng.

Ming Cheng rolled his neck and walked toward him, step by step. “Not bad, kid. You took a direct hit from me and only lost an arm! But you won’t be so lucky next time.”

He clenched his fists, bones crackling as qi wrapped around them, stirring the dust into a vortex around his hands.

But just then, Qin Lang struck first! He raised his right hand high, the jade thumb ring on his thumb glowing with a brilliant green light.

“Die!” he roared, slashing down with his hand. A wave of invincible qi shot down, forcing Ming Cheng’s pupils to constrict in shock.

“Damn it! Where did this brat suddenly get such power?”

The force was immense, impossibly fast; Ming Cheng had no time to defend. He tried to summon his qi, but before it could take shape, the blade of energy struck him like a cannonball, sending him flying. His clothes tore and a bloody gash appeared across his chest.

Qin Lang grinned in triumph, stepped past Ming Cheng, and made straight for Ling Xiao.

“You forced my hand! If no one offends me, I offend no one. But if someone crosses me, I will kill them! Remember in your next life—not to provoke the name ‘Qin Lang’!”

With that, Qin Lang slashed down once more. This time, the blade of qi was even more furious, even more powerful—the very air trembled with its force.

In that instant, the entire second floor was caught up in the maelstrom. Wild winds raged, lights flickered, and it was as though the end of days had come. Black Rose and the others turned ashen with fear. Screams erupted throughout the hall as everyone scrambled to escape in panic.

Only Ling Xiao remained seated, his expression unruffled.

As the blade descended, Ling Xiao slowly closed his eyes. Qin Lang’s mouth curled in a smirk—in his eyes, Ling Xiao had already resigned himself to death.

But just as the blade of light came within ten centimeters of Ling Xiao’s forehead, Ling Xiao’s eyes snapped open, unleashing a bolt of golden light like a flash of lightning.

Moments later—

The wind ceased.

The lights steadied.

Qin Lang lay collapsed on the ground, blood pooling around him.

Silence returned. Ling Xiao rose and walked toward the exit.

“It was an entertaining evening, Rose. Clean up the aftermath.”

“Yes, Young Master!” Forcing down her terror, Rose looked at his departing figure, her respect for him deepening further.

...

Ten minutes later, Ming Cheng climbed into the Alphard, cursing under his breath.

“Damn it, what rotten luck! I hunt geese every day, and tonight I nearly got pecked in the eye! That brat almost crippled me!”

Xiu’er asked with concern, “Ming Ye, how are your injuries? Should Young Master take a look?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t die! Besides, I disgraced the Young Master today. I’d be too ashamed to ask him for treatment.”

He paused, then continued, “Young Master, what’s that boy’s story? I heard from Rose’s people that he’s just a poor loser who failed his exams, just dropped out, and was waiting tables at a hotel a few days ago—how did he suddenly become so formidable? Are all martial cultivators in the mundane world hiding their true strength so deeply?”

Ling Xiao smiled and turned the jade ring in his palm.

“It’s not that he’s hidden his strength. He just has great fortune. If he hadn’t encountered me today, you would not have been able to kill him. In fact, he would have grown ever stronger, risen to the top of Jiangzhou, and built a legacy of dominance. In time, he might have come to Ghost Valley to kill you and avenge today’s humiliation. Then, with Ghost Valley’s reputation in tatters, we’d be forced to act, and in the end... all of us would become mere stepping stones for his advancement.”

Ming Cheng sucked in a sharp breath. “Just who is that boy? How can he be so formidable?”

“No, he’s just a nobody,” Ling Xiao replied. “It’s just... he picked up an old man.”

...

After returning to the Jiangzhou Grand Hotel, Ling Xiao lay on his bed, raised the jade ring, and sent a trace of true qi into it.

The moment the ring received the qi, it shone with a vibrant green light, enveloping the entire room—and Ling Xiao with it.

“How dare you, insignificant ant, to kill the disciple of this Immortal King! Your crime deserves death!”

With that declaration, a majestic golden phantom appeared in the room—a man of commanding presence, his hair and beard snowy white, yet his features youthful. Though only a projection, his aura was sharp and imposing.

He stood with hands behind his back, tiger-like eyes staring down at Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao remained reclined, his arm for a pillow, watching with amused interest.

“There shouldn’t be an Immortal King in this lower realm. How did you descend here?” he asked.

The Immortal King’s remnant soul was startled, eyes narrowing. “Who are you? Why do you not fear me?”

Ling Xiao replied coolly, “I’m the one asking questions now.”

“Hmph!” The Immortal King’s remnant soul raised his chin high. “You are bold indeed—I am an Immortal King’s remnant soul, and you dare treat me with such disrespect?”

Ling Xiao’s eyes narrowed. “You have five seconds to kneel and apologize. Do that, and I’ll let you go.”

“Silence, boy! How dare you show such insolence to me time and again? You think this Immortal King is so easily bullied? It seems I must teach you a lesson, or you’ll never learn your place!”

Ling Xiao shook his head and sighed. “Enough. Talking to you is like playing music to a cow.”

With a mere flutter of his eyelids, a nameless might surged forth from him.

The Immortal King’s remnant soul shuddered, his eyes widening in terror. “This... this aura? Are you an Immortal Emperor? An Immortal Sovereign? No... even an Immortal Sovereign couldn’t possess such force! Who... who are you?”

“I am someone you cannot afford to provoke,” Ling Xiao replied.

And with that, his aura crushed the remnant soul to dust.