Both the Water Temple and Dragon and Phoenix Mountain led teams with dozens of Cave Heaven Realm Martial Artists.

Similarly, on the Divine Phoenix Continent side, there were also dozens of Cave Heaven Realm Martial Artists.

Victory in a single battle would determine who qualifies to attend the White Tiger Summit.

Of course, the prerequisite is to stay alive until the White Tiger Summit begins.

"Kid, you really managed to keep your life."

The First Hero glanced coldly at Ling Xiao, evidently a bit unwilling, yet he didn't dare go against the Dragon Phoenix Saint's words.

"Likewise!"

In fact, the most displeased was Ling Xiao, who had intended to engage in a combative showdown with the First Hero.

But this was also good, as the people behind him, including Ji Mingkong, needed battles to hone themselves and earn the qualification to attend the White Tiger Summit.

After all, it's just a matter of waiting, it's not like they wouldn't fight; he wasn't in a rush.

Moreover, he had to give face to the Dragon Phoenix Saint.

He wasn't the type to disregard others unless someone wronged him; otherwise, he would give others face.

The sparring began.

At first, everything seemed normal without any problems.

But when Ling Xiao's people took the field, problems arose.

The first to step forward from behind Ling Xiao was Ji Mingkong.

Her opponent was a Ninth Heaven Realm Warrior from the Water Temple.

Although this person's cultivation level was stronger than Ji Mingkong's, facing her sword techniques left him struggling, seemingly about to be defeated.

At this moment, a nut flicked from Disi Ying's hand from the Water Temple.

An ordinary nut, in the hands of a strong person, became a lethal weapon.

Disi Ying's cultivation had reached the half-step Yin-Yang Realm with a tenfold Yin-Yang Elemental Force Cultivation and was almost breaking through.

His strength was far superior to Ji Mingkong's.

Moreover, it was a sneak attack.

Ji Mingkong was struck by the nut and fell heavily to the ground.

The Ninth Heaven Realm Warrior from the Water Temple seized the opportunity, ruthlessly slashing the cold blade toward Ji Mingkong's neck.

The Water Temple warriors wore indifferent smiles.

They all thought inwardly: this is what should be done. Since they couldn't deal with Ling Xiao, they would kill his people to make him suffer.

Yet at this moment, Ling Xiao suddenly stood up from his seat, and before anyone could grasp his intentions,

he was already in the center of the field, gripping the Ninth Heaven Realm Warrior from the Water Temple by the throat.

"Crunch!"

The crisp sound echoed throughout the venue; the person's neck had been twisted by Ling Xiao.

"How dare you, Ling Xiao, disrupt the sparring, what do you intend?"

The Emissary of the Tianhai Empire angrily demanded.

"Right, do you intend to sabotage the selection for the White Tiger Summit?"

The Water Temple's warriors chimed in.

Ling Xiao didn't utter a word; he stooped to help Ji Mingkong up and picked a nut kernel from her wound.

After confirming Ji Mingkong was fine, he turned to the Emissary of the Tianhai Empire and said calmly: "Emissary, are you blind? Such a blatant ambush, how could you not see it?"

"Insolence!"

The lead Red-robed Emissary of the Tianhai Empire trembled with fury.

"Insolence? I think it's you who are insolent. The Tianhai Empire hosts this selection to truly find a genius, yet you ignore such sneak attacks and instead vent on me? Are you defying even the Tianhai Empire Emperor's decree?"

Ling Xiao disdainfully glanced at the two Emissaries.

He was certain this wasn't the intention of the Tianhai Empire's Emperor, nor even the higher-ups.

These three Emissaries must have been bribed by the Water Temple; otherwise, such partiality wouldn't be possible.

Even if Ling Xiao had killed their informant, they wouldn't have acted this way.

Should this matter spread, the remaining two Emissaries would also be doomed.

Apparently, Ling Xiao hit a sore spot; upon hearing this, the two Emissaries fell silent, their eyes only revealing a chilling killing intent.

They wished Ling Xiao would immediately face the First Hero and die here.

That kid was simply too infuriating.

Seeing the two Emissaries silent, Ling Xiao turned to Disi Ying: "Do you know what kind of people I hate most?

It's scum like you who are shameless and enjoy ambushes!

Even if I, Ling Xiao, didn't make it into the top ten of the Dragon and Phoenix List, I wouldn't stoop to such ignoble acts.

If you're a man, step forward, a life-and-death duel, let's fight to the end! Whoever admits defeat is a coward!

Let me see the courage of you Water Temple warriors!"

He was really angry.

Initially, a verbal spat wouldn't escalate to such deadly intentions.

But Disi Ying's actions clearly aimed to kill Ji Mingkong.

Though Ling Xiao had no romantic relations with Ji Mingkong, they shared a deep friendship.

Having faced life and death many times together, now with someone ambushing Ji Mingkong, if he didn't stand up, he wouldn't even count as a man.

"Loyal and righteous, becoming friends with this person is definitely worthwhile."

The Dragon Phoenix Saint watched Ling Xiao and couldn't help nodding silently.

Though Ling Xiao's actions were somewhat aggressive, as a martial artist, if faced with a friend's near-fatal ambush and unable to rage,

that martial artist was fundamentally useless, having no martial grandeur, let alone clearing obstacles.

The path of martial arts is inherently fraught with danger and requires immense courage to continue.

To the Dragon Phoenix Saint, Ling Xiao was a natural-born martial artist.

This boy had so many people supporting him as the Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Dynasty, not without reason.

Disi Ying felt awkward facing Ling Xiao; his cultivation was not weak, yet he remained uncertain of victory against Ling Xiao.

Indeed, he was much stronger than Diwu Ying, Sixth Hero, and Diqi Ying.

In a mere sparring, he certainly didn't fear Ling Xiao, but in a life-or-death showdown, he hesitated.

Should he accept the challenge or not?

Disi Ying frowned deeply.

"Hmph, someone just now kept claiming their people aren't trash, but from what I see, you all seem to have no skills beyond sneak attacks!"

Ling Xiao snorted coldly, sarcastically.

Disi Ying was marked for death.

Because this wretch had already touched his reverse scale, even if not killed today, he would be killed in the future.

"Bullshit, do you think so highly of yourself? I will fight you!"

Disi Ying also had his pride, especially since he reasoned that Ling Xiao couldn't have broken through the Yin-Yang Realm.

Under such circumstances, as a Half-step Yin-Yang Realm Pinnacle Warrior, why should he fear Ling Xiao?

To be called a coward and not dare to act?

In doing so, not only would the people of the Tianhai Empire look down upon him, but his peers would, too, upon returning home.

"Oh? Courageous, it seems the Seven Heroes of the Water Temple are not all cowards, after all."

A cold smile crossed Ling Xiao's lips.

It seemed that occasionally, using psychological tactics was effective; though a bit cliché, it was particularly effective against these naturally arrogant martial artists.