I want to tread the heavens

When the draw results for the round of 32 were announced, Ling Xiao looked at his opponents on the draw list and remained silent for three seconds.

Fa Cai was laughing so hard he was rolling on the floor. "Serves you right for bragging yesterday that it wouldn't be a problem! See what happens now? Shi Lei! Body cultivator Shi Lei! Late Foundation Establishment stage! The number one outer sect defender! Hahahaha!"

Ling Xiao kicked it without expression.

An Ling stood to the side, a rare look of worry on her face. The name Shi Lei was already legendary when she inquired about him in the market. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, his physical strength was comparable to a spiritual weapon; attacks from ordinary mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't even scratch him. More importantly, Shi Lei had extremely rich combat experience. He had cultivated in the outer sect for five years, participated in two outer sect competitions, and his best result was reaching the top sixteen.

"Can your Star Thunder Finger Sword break through his defense?" An Ling asked.

Ling Xiao thought for a moment and said seriously, "The improved Star Thunder Finger Sword has 50% more penetrating power than the original version, and theoretically it can break through the defense of a body cultivator of the same level. But Shi Lei is in the late Foundation Establishment stage, which is a small realm higher than me, and his physical strength cannot be measured by the same level."

That means it's not certain that you can break through. Get rich, stop rolling around, get up and say, "Boss, why don't you just admit defeat? After all, being in the top 32 isn't shameful."

Admit defeat? Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow. Do I look like someone who would admit defeat?

Fa Cai carefully examined his face; it resembled someone else's.

Ling Xiao kicked again.

Although he joked around with Fa Cai, Ling Xiao knew in his heart that this battle would definitely be a tough one. Shi Lei was not one of the opponents he could easily defeat before; this was a truly formidable foe, the biggest test he had faced since participating in the outer sect competition.

The match was scheduled for the afternoon of the following day, giving Ling Xiao a whole night to prepare. Instead of sleeping as usual, he sat cross-legged in the courtyard, going over all of Shi Lei's information in his mind again and again.

Shi Lei's body-refining technique is called the Vajra Indestructible Technique, a low-grade Earth-rank technique, and is the most advanced body-refining technique among external sect body cultivators. The characteristic of this technique is its terrifying defensive power; at a high level, it allows the physical body to withstand attacks from spiritual weapons. Shi Lei has already cultivated this technique to the third level, making his physical strength significantly higher than that of ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment body cultivators.

However, every technique has its weaknesses. The weakness of the Vajra Indestructible Technique lies in the fact that it requires a large amount of spiritual energy to maintain the body's defensive state. In other words, Shi Lei cannot maintain the highest level of defense indefinitely; he must make a trade-off between offense and defense.

In addition, a common weakness of body cultivators is their relatively slow speed. Shi Lei's physique and physical density determine that his agility is not as good as that of ordinary cultivators. Although his straight-line sprinting speed is not slow, his ability to change direction and dodge is a weakness.

Ling Xiao opened his eyes, already having a preliminary tactic in mind.

The next afternoon, at the Ding-class arena.

The stands were packed with people, more than any previous match. Ling Xiao versus Shi Lei, mid-Foundation Establishment versus late-Foundation Establishment, the two stars of Qingyun versus veteran powerhouses—this match was truly full of highlights.

As usual, FaCai opened its betting odds in the stands, but this time it set the odds very cautiously. Ling Xiao's odds of winning were 3 to 1, and Shi Lei's were 1.2 to 1. Clearly, even FaCai felt that Ling Xiao's chances in this match were slim.

An Ling stood at the front of the stands, her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to intervene if Ling Xiao was in danger.

On the stage, Ling Xiao and Shi Lei stood face to face.

Shi Lei was a full head taller than Ling Xiao, and twice as big. He was shirtless, and his bronze skin was covered with dense lines—protective patterns that appeared after cultivating the Vajra Indestructible Technique to the third level. Each line was like a small protective shield, layered upon layer, covering the surface of his skin.

"So you're Ling Xiao," Shi Lei spoke, his voice deep and rumbling like thunder. "I've heard of you before. One of the Qingyun Twin Stars, you defeated Zhao Hu despite being a lower-ranked opponent, and dominated the entire round of 64. Not bad."

"You flatter me, Senior Brother Shi Lei," Ling Xiao said with a grin. "When the fight breaks out later, I hope you'll go easy on me."

Shi Lei grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "I never hold back in a fight. If you can't take it, you'd better admit defeat now to avoid getting hurt."

Ling Xiao flexed his wrists and said, "I'll try my best to hold on."

The bell rang to signal the start of the competition.

Shi Lei made the first move. He stomped his right foot on the ground, leaving a deep footprint on the bluestone slab of the arena, and charged towards Ling Xiao like a cannonball. His speed was faster than Ling Xiao had anticipated, and the explosive power of his straight-line sprint was astonishing.

Ling Xiao didn't take the blow head-on. Instead, he used the Swimming Fish Step, sliding his body to the left at an incredible angle. Shi Lei's fist grazed the hem of his clothes, the force of the punch stinging his cheek.

But Shi Lei's offensive didn't stop. After his first punch missed, he turned around and swept his left elbow across, covering all of Ling Xiao's dodging space. The elbow came too fast and too hard, and Ling Xiao didn't have time to dodge again. He could only cross his arms to block it.

boom.

Ling Xiao felt as if he had been hit by a mountain. The Star Refinement Body Patterns on his arms lit up instantly, absorbing most of the impact, but the remaining force still made his feet slide three zhang away on the ground, the soles of his shoes rubbing against the stone slabs with a screeching sound.

"That was incredibly powerful!" Ling Xiao shook his numb arm and mentally reassessed Shi Lei's strength level. That elbow strike was at least three times stronger than his own; it was hard to say whether his Starry Sky Body Refinement could withstand a direct punch from that.

Shi Lei gave him no chance to catch his breath and charged forward again. His fists rained down like a storm, each punch carrying immense force. The wind from his punches howled, and the protective array of the arena vibrated and hummed.

Ling Xiao weaved through the shadows of fists, mastering the Fish-like Step technique to its fullest extent. However, Shi Lei's attack density was too high, and he couldn't dodge them all. Whenever he couldn't dodge, he would block with his arms, the light patterns of the Star Refinement Body lighting up again and again, only to be dispersed each time.

By the tenth move, Ling Xiao's arms had started to go numb.

This won't do; he must find an opportunity to counterattack while being passively attacked.

Shi Lei's next punch came, this time a straight punch aimed at his chest. Ling Xiao didn't dodge, but instead slightly turned his body and took the punch head-on with his left shoulder.

Click.

The Star Refinement Body Pattern on his left shoulder shattered, and a sharp pain shot through his shoulder blade. But this was the moment Ling Xiao had been waiting for. The instant Shi Lei threw a straight punch, his right arm would be briefly exposed, with the section from his armpit to his ribs unprotected.

Starlight power condensed on Ling Xiao's right index and middle fingers, the silver meteorite power mixed with purple lightning, compressed to its limit. At the same time that Shi Lei's fist struck his left shoulder, his right finger sword thrust out like lightning, accurately hitting Shi Lei's right armpit three inches below the armpit.

Star Thunder Finger Sword, improved version.

Purple arcs of electricity exploded on Shi Lei's skin, followed closely by silver meteorite power, which pierced deep into Shi Lei's muscles like a nail.

Shi Lei groaned, his right arm's strength instantly decreasing by 30%. He looked down at the wound under his armpit; there was a finger-sized blood hole in his skin, its edges charred black, a mark of being burned by lightning.

"Starlight Thunder Power," Shi Lei's eyes narrowed. "You know Starlight Thunder Power."

Ling Xiao did not answer. Taking advantage of the weakened strength in Shi Lei's right arm, he launched a counterattack. He used the Swimming Fish Step to move to Shi Lei's left side and unleashed a series of punches, each imbued with the power of a meteor shower, striking Shi Lei's ribs and abdomen.

But Shi Lei's defenses were simply too thick. Ling Xiao's punch felt like hitting a steel plate; the recoil even made Ling Xiao's own fist ache. Apart from the bloody hole under his armpit, Shi Lei was almost completely unharmed.

The third level of the Vajra Indestructible Technique truly lives up to its name.

Shi Lei shook his right arm, and with the surge of spiritual energy, the wound under his armpit began to slowly heal. He looked at Ling Xiao, a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "Your Star Lightning Power is very penetrating. If it were an ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment body cultivator, that finger strike would have crippled their right arm. But I cultivate the Vajra Indestructible Technique; your Star Lightning Power is not enough to penetrate my protective patterns."

After speaking, he took a deep breath, and the protective patterns on his body suddenly lit up, radiating a brilliant golden light. The defensive power of the Vajra Indestructible Technique was activated to its limit, and Shi Lei's entire body seemed to be plated with gold, even his hair shimmering with a metallic luster.

"Now, your attacks are ineffective against me," Shi Lei said. "Admit defeat."

Ling Xiao looked at the gleaming, large man in front of him and suddenly smiled.

Senior Brother Shi Lei, you said my Star Thunder power wasn't enough to penetrate your protective patterns. He said, "But just now, I only used 70% of my power in that finger strike."

Shi Lei's pupils contracted slightly.

Ling Xiao once again formed a sword shape with his right hand, this time the starlight power gathered at his fingertips was even more violent than before. The silver starlight power formed a rapidly spinning vortex at his fingertips, with purple lightning leaping within it, emitting crackling sounds.

Full strength.

Ling Xiao moved.

With the extreme speed of the Swimming Fish Step combined with the full power of the Star Thunder Finger Sword, his figure left a trail of afterimages in the air, and the Star Thunder vortex at his fingertips pierced straight at Shi Lei's chest.

Shi Lei roared and threw out both fists at the same time. The golden light protecting his body from the Vajra Indestructible Technique condensed on his fists, forming a golden fist aura, which met Ling Xiao's finger sword.

Starlight and Thunder Finger Sword versus Vajra Fist and罡.

boom.

Silver-purple and golden light exploded in the center of the arena, the violent shockwave causing the protective array to shake violently. The spectators in the stands covered their eyes, only daring to look at the arena again after the light subsided.

On the stage, Ling Xiao and Shi Lei each took five steps back.

Ling Xiao's right index and middle fingers were covered in blood, his nails were shattered, and his finger bones were faintly visible. On Shi Lei's fists, the Vajra Fist Qi had been pierced by the power of star lightning, leaving a fist-sized hole, from which golden protective light was emanating.

Both of them were panting.

"Your Star Thunder Power," Shi Lei looked down at the hole in his fist, "is stronger than I imagined."

"Your Indestructible Vajra Technique isn't bad either," Ling Xiao grimaced, then gasped in pain.

Shi Lei remained silent for a moment, then withdrew the golden light from his fist. The protective patterns on his body gradually dimmed, returning to their normal bronze color.

"I'm not playing anymore," he said.

Ling Xiao was taken aback. What did that mean?

"I admit defeat," Shi Lei said.

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Ignoring the commotion in the stands, Shi Lei walked up to Ling Xiao, looked down at the boy who was a head shorter than him, and said, "If you had aimed your finger at my throat instead of my fist, I would be dead now."

Ling Xiao thought about it and realized that it did seem to be true.

So I lost. Shi Lei stretched out his hand. It wasn't a matter of skill, but of tactics. You took my punch head-on with your left shoulder, just to find an opening under my armpit. You used 70% of your strength to test my defensive limits, then used your full strength to break through my defenses in one blow. From beginning to end, you were scheming against me.

Ling Xiao grasped his hand, grinned, and said, "Senior Brother Shi Lei, you flatter me. Actually, I was just lucky; I happened to know that the armpits are a weakness for body cultivators."

Shi Lei burst into laughter, his voice shaking the arena. He patted Ling Xiao on the shoulder, almost knocking him over. "Interesting." "Kid, what's your name again?"

Ling Xiao.

Ling Xiao, Shi Lei repeated the name, nodded, and said, "I'll remember you. You're the first person to force me to admit defeat at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage during the Round of 32."

After saying that, he turned and walked off the stage, his tall figure quickly disappearing into the crowd.

Ling Xiao stood on the ring, looking down at his bloodied fingers, then chuckled twice. He won, albeit a humiliating one, but he truly won.

Fa Cai leaped down from the stands, carrying a bag full of spirit stones in his mouth, wagging his tail so excitedly it almost broke. "Boss, you're amazing! I've made a fortune! Three to one! Three to one!"

Ling Xiao rolled his eyes at it. "I almost got beaten to death, and you're only concerned about your spirit stones?"

You're still alive, so you're making a fortune with a clear conscience. Besides, your fight was amazing. I almost thought you were going to lose, but then you unleashed that full-power Star Thunder Finger Sword, and I immediately bet all my spirit stones on you to win.

Haven't you already set up the betting odds?

Those are the odds for other people. I bet on a different odds for myself, and I'm raking in the profits. That's called hedging, do you understand?

Ling Xiao decided that he would never discuss anything related to money with this wolf again.

An Ling walked over, glanced at the injury on his finger, and took out a bottle of ointment from her pocket, handing it to him. Ling Xiao took it and applied it to the wound. The cool medicinal power seeped into his skin, and the pain lessened considerably.

"Who's our next opponent?" Ling Xiao asked.

An Ling glanced at the notice board: Liu Bai. Sword formation genius, late Foundation Establishment stage.

Ling Xiao gasped; another tough nut to crack. What about you?

Fang Qingxue, An Ling's tone was very calm. She was a female sword cultivator, in the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

The two looked at each other and smiled simultaneously.

The round of 32 was already this tough; the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals would only get harder. But for some reason, Ling Xiao felt increasingly excited.

That's the joy of real combat. You only become stronger by fighting against strong opponents.

Ling Xiao and An Ling walked out of the training ground side by side, with Fa Cai following behind, still muttering about its spirit stones. Night had fallen, and the mountain path of Qingyun Peak was quiet, save for the echoing footsteps.

Halfway there, Ling Xiao suddenly stopped.

Beneath the pine trees by the mountain path stood a tall figure. With bronze skin and bulging muscles, it was Shi Lei.

Senior Brother Shi Lei? Ling Xiao was somewhat surprised. What are you doing here?

"Waiting for you," Shi Lei walked over, his expression much more serious than on the stage. "I have something to tell you."

What's wrong?

Shi Lei glanced at An Ling and Fa Cai, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "About your Star Thunder Power."

Ling Xiao's heart skipped a beat.

"Your Starlight Power is very special," Shi Lei said slowly. "I sensed it on the arena. That silver-purple power isn't ordinary Starlight Power. It's a special power that combines the power of stars and the power of lightning, and it's extremely rare."

Ling Xiao remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

I know someone, Shi Lei said, who also possesses this power.

Ling Xiao's pupils suddenly contracted.

"That person," Shi Lei's voice deepened, "came to the Azure Profound Continent twenty years ago. He stayed at the Heavenly Sword Sect for three months and had a sparring match with the disciples of the Battle Sword Peak at the time. I don't know the details of that sparring match, but I do know one thing."

What's wrong?

Shi Lei looked into Ling Xiao's eyes and said, word by word, "That person's name is Ling Zhan."