"So, Senior Yi..."
Ling Fei, leading the crowd, started to explain what had happened earlier in a chatterbox manner.
Of course, the version of events recounted by these people naturally had an artistic spin to it.
After all, it wasn't like they hadn't twisted the truth before; for them, it had long been part of their repertoire.
"Is that so?"
Ling Yixue looked calmly at Ling Xiao and asked.
Ling Xiao wanted to explain, but he held back as the words reached his lips.
To rely on a woman to resolve his own matters, what kind of man would that make him? And what if he spoke up and she didn't believe him? Wouldn't that be awkward?
With that thought, he remained silent.
"See, Senior Yi, he's practically admitted to it by staying quiet," Ling Fei said loudly.
"Ling Fei, are you even a man? You know better than anyone what really happened just now. Are you seriously dragging Senior Yi Ling Yixue into this?" Ling Xiao suddenly said with a snicker.
"You little brat, say that again?"
The proverb goes, "For a gentleman, a fair lady is worth pursuing."
Ling Yixue was the secret crush of many within the Ling Family, Ling Fei included, of course.
He certainly didn't want to lose face in front of Ling Yixue, no matter what.
"I said the truth. What's there to be afraid of?" Ling Xiao replied indifferently.
"Fine! With Senior Yi's world here, I won't argue with you. But, you're going to pay for his medical fees and, additionally, you'll apologize to him in front of everyone."
Ling Fei truly did want to give Ling Xiao a thrashing, but with Ling Yixue present, he refrained from acting; he didn't want to be accused of bullying by ganging up on him.
So, he had decided to play the role of a hero upholding justice.
"Apologize? Heh, you expect me to apologize to a despicable, shameless sneak attacker? Ling Fei, has your brain turned to mush?"
When Ling Xiao said this, even Ling Yixue furrowed her brows.
She simply thought that Ling Xiao was overestimating his abilities.
A person who had just advanced to the Martial Veins Second Layer daring to challenge Ling Fei at the Martial Veins Third Layer was simply seeking death.
In Ling Yixue's view, having strength was called pride, but without strength, it was simply courting death.
"Senior Yi, you heard him. He injured a fellow disciple and refuses to apologize. As his Senior Brother, I have no choice but to teach him a lesson," Ling Fei said, looking toward Ling Yixue, seeking a reason to act.
"My fellow disciples, fighting and killing always harms the relationship. Just now I heard you say that Ling Xiao's Light-work Skill isn't bad. Why don't you two compete in Light-work Skill? If you win, I will ensure that he apologizes," Ling Yixue said calmly.
"I'll listen to Senior Yi. What do you say, Ling Xiao? Dare you compete with me in Light-work Skill?"
Although Ling Fei had witnessed Ling Xiao's Light-work Skill, he wasn't afraid; for one thing, he was more confident, feeling he was still better than Ling Xiao, and for another, Ling Xiao had clearly run low on True Qi just a moment ago. Competing now would actually be to his own advantage.
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
Ling Xiao sneered inwardly. You want to show off in front of Ling Yixue, huh? Fine, I'll let you lose face completely!
He had witnessed Ling Fei's Light-work Skill before, and it wasn't all that impressive.
Of course, if it were based solely on the "Fierce Tiger Descending Mountain Step," he reckoned he really wouldn't stand a chance against Ling Fei.
But he had the Mountain and River Martial Soul! The Mountain and River Martial Soul's analytical and training functions could give him the upper hand in any competition.
This was his advantage, an advantage that Ling Fei did not have!
"Alright, you do have some guts. But I'm afraid they're just the guts of a fool!"
Ling Fei sneered then turned to Ling Yixue and said, "Senior sister, please be a witness for us so no one can deny it after losing."
"Very well."
Ling Yixue was somewhat interested in the competition between Ling Fei and Ling Xiao.
Because within Elite Hall, Ling Fei's lightness skill was definitely ranked within the top three. During this year's annual competition, Ling Fei might become one of the opponents, observing him now wouldn't hurt.
After all, as an Outer Disciple, Ling Yixue could only obtain abundant rewards through various in-clan martial arts competitions, otherwise, she couldn't compare with the main clan disciples.
She was a very practical person and wouldn't spout any nonsense about victory without honor and such.
When the main clan disciples secretly cultivated high-level techniques, no one felt it was unfair either.
Of course, Ling Yixue had no interest in Ling Xiao at all. The only reason she was willing to help was that she felt everyone was an Outer Disciple, and didn't want Ling Xiao to be bullied too badly.
Originally, she thought Ling Xiao would actively concede defeat, apologize, and that would be the end of it.
Who knew that Ling Xiao would be so clueless as to actually agree to compete in lightness skill with Ling Fei?
Even she couldn't compete with Ling Fei's lightness skill, and Ling Xiao had just advanced to the Martial Veins Second Layer a few days ago, how could he possibly win?
This was a competition with such disparate strengths that the outcome was already determined.
Now more people had gathered around to watch, many of whom came for Ling Yixue, and when they heard that Ling Fei was going to compete in lightness skill with Ling Xiao, they were all disdainful.
It was not that they looked down on Ling Fei, but they found the competition simply boring.
A speed race between a hawk and a tortoise, could there be any suspense?
"Ling Fei has always said that he would unveil his ace in the hole during the annual competition, but today, in front of Senior Yi Xue, he'll probably pull out all the stops to show off his skill."
"Hehe, this will be exciting!"
Everyone was smiling gleefully at Ling Yixue's beauty while watching Ling Fei warm up.
As for Ling Xiao.
Who would care about a person doomed to lose?
"How are we going to compete?"
Someone asked.
"The old rules, let's follow the usual three light-work skill tests we have during competitions."
"Which three tests?"
"The first one is called 'Crossing the Air in the Void'; we draw a line as the starting line and see who can remain airborne the longest without their feet touching the ground! This is the 'distance' aspect of lightness skill!"
"The second one is 'Climbing the Sky Ladder', without borrowing any external help, let's see who can reach the higher altitude! This is the 'height' aspect of lightness skill!"
"The third one involves comparing speeds in body movement technique, we run a hundred-meter distance back and forth, whoever is faster wins!"
All three events were very straightforward and the judgment criteria were also very simple. The simpler the competition, the more likely to truly assess someone's strength, as there was a lower possibility of cheating.
"Just now, Junior Brother Ling Xiao has already employed his lightness skill, and it probably drained him, so as his senior brother, I'll give him a chance, I'll go first!"
Ling Fei thought that Ling Xiao's True Qi definitely could not recover in a short period of time.
That's why he would do this; not only could he seem fair and noble, but he could also save face in front of Ling Yixue.
However, if he knew that Ling Xiao's Qi Recovery Technique could completely restore his True Qi in just a quarter of an hour, he probably wouldn't make such a foolish decision.
"Senior Brother Ling truly lives up to his name, unlike some people who, after injuring someone, still refuse to apologize. They really don't deserve to be part of the Ling Family."
"Enough, don't talk anymore. After all, if Senior Brother Ling wins, Ling Xiao will still have to apologize."
Hearing the murmurs, Ling Fei felt extremely pleased.
He stepped up to the starting line, ready to leap into the air.
"Begin!"
At Ling Yixue's command, Ling Fei's body soared into the air, like a swift, suddenly taking flight ahead.
"That's amazing!"
"That's got to be a distance of fifteen meters, he's broken the record again!"