Chapter 148: A True Man Needs No Schemes

Eight hundred billion!

Upon hearing this figure, everyone present collectively gasped in astonishment.

The sons of the Qi family trembled in their legs upon hearing it.

Even Qi Xue, standing beside Ling Xiao, felt as if she might collapse right then and there if not for her fear of embarrassing him.

That was eight hundred billion in cash! The entire Qi family’s wealth barely amounted to two or three hundred billion, and that was counting all their assets combined.

Yet here, eight hundred billion in cold, hard cash was handed over to Ling Xiao as if it were mere pocket change.

Heavens above, such extravagance was beyond human measure!

Only at this moment did Qi Xue and the Qi family members truly grasp the terrifying nature of Ling Xiao.

They could not help but feel a surge of admiration for the old patriarch’s insight.

Before the Qi family had sought out Ling Xiao, several of the patriarch’s sons had scorned the very idea of engaging with him.

Though Ling Xiao had annihilated the Su family, and the Su and Qi clans were roughly on par, the Qi family had merely been shocked, not ready to submit.

But now, all doubts were gone. From the depths of their hearts, they bowed to Ling Xiao.

Qi Xue cast a furtive glance behind the two young men and noticed that the women there were all daughters of two other great families from Jiangnan, their status comparable to her own.

A wave of emotion washed over her.

No wonder there was always talk that money is but an external possession.

In the presence of someone like Ling Xiao, how could even a mighty clan like the Qi’s do anything but become mere servants?

As for Ling Xiao himself, his expression remained utterly calm, as if eight hundred billion was but a wisp of air in his eyes.

“You two seem quite at ease, gambling openly on the street in broad daylight, making such a spectacle.”

“Hahaha...”

It was the man with phoenix-like eyes who laughed heartily, his expensive suit quivering with the motion.

“When it comes to drawing attention, who can compare to you, Young Master of the Ghost Valley? On the first day of the Hundred Sect Contest, within less than six hours, you conquered Kongtong, ranked ninth, shocking the entire martial world and fully unleashing Ghost Valley’s prestige!”

Ling Xiao cast him a cold glance.

“Cut the nonsense. Why have you called me here?”

The phoenix-eyed man smiled leisurely.

“I’m sure you have your suspicions, Young Master Ling. Among the three of us here today, whichever one is released will surely strike terror throughout the martial world.”

“Before us, you, Young Master Ling of Ghost Valley.”

“Behind us, Ouyang Xiaobai, heir of the Blade Emperor Sect!”

“Among the Four Young Masters of the martial world, two are present here.”

“Add to that me, Guo Quan, Young Master of the Absolute Divine Hall. If the three of us cooperate, securing a top five position in the Hundred Sect Contest is no problem! And if we unite to obtain the three Black Iron Tokens and confront Kunlun together, even the top three is within reach!”

Guo Quan smiled brightly, as if the victory was already his.

Ling Xiao gave Ouyang Xiaobai a faint glance; Ouyang Xiaobai was watching him intently in return.

Their gazes clashed in the air, sparking an electric explosion.

“I have heard that the Young Master of the Blade Emperor Sect cultivates the Tyrant’s Wild Blade, always looking down on all rivals. How is it that you would consider cooperation?”

Ouyang Xiaobai, clad in snow-white robes, emanated an air of aloof superiority.

A chill could plainly be felt around him.

He looked at Ling Xiao with a cold expression and said arrogantly:

“I did not come here to cooperate! I came just to see you! To see what prowess you, one of the Four Young Masters of the martial world, truly possess!”

Immediately, a wave of battle intent enveloped the surroundings.

Guo Quan hastily tried to smooth things over.

“Young Master Ouyang, I am hosting today; please give me some face.”

Ouyang Xiaobai gave him a disdainful glance.

“You’re not even one of the Four Young Masters. What right do you have to ask for face from me?”

“You—!”

Guo Quan’s face turned icy cold.

“Ouyang Xiaobai, the Four Young Masters are ranked not by strength but by potential! Don’t use that as a license for arrogance here!”

Ouyang Xiaobai sneered.

“If that’s the case, how about you fight me first?”

Guo Quan slammed his fist on the table.

“Ouyang Xiaobai, don’t push your luck!”

But Ouyang Xiaobai didn’t even glance at him, focusing solely on Ling Xiao.

“In the young generation of the Central Plains martial world, only you and I can be considered heroes. The rest are mere petty men. What do you think?”

Ling Xiao crossed his legs, toyed with the jade thumb ring on his finger, and said indifferently:

“To me, you’re all trash.”

The room fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then Ouyang Xiaobai burst into loud laughter.

“Hahaha... interesting! Interesting! I thought I was arrogant enough, but meeting you today, I realize you’re even more so!”

As his laughter faded, his eyes filled with battle intent.

“I truly want to fight you here!”

In an instant, the wind and clouds roiled as everyone felt a suffocating pressure.

Qi Xue, standing behind Ling Xiao, felt this pressure most keenly; her entire body trembled, cold sweat pouring down.

Ling Xiao snorted lightly, releasing a burst of aura that enveloped Qi Xue, instantly breaking Ouyang Xiaobai’s suppressive pressure and countering his battle intent.

Qi Xue felt as if she had been pardoned and began to breathe deeply.

The earlier oppressive aura had been too overwhelming—she had nearly been terrified out of her wits!

Terrifying—just a mere thought from these three was enough to frighten anyone to death. They were monsters.

Guo Quan’s face turned ghastly.

Ouyang Xiaobai and Ling Xiao regarded each other as nothing but rivals, completely ignoring him.

Clenching his fists, Guo Quan unleashed his own aura.

“Ouyang Xiaobai, do you think I don’t exist just because you ignore me?”

But the moment his aura burst forth, Ling Xiao and Ouyang Xiaobai both withdrew theirs, leaving Guo Quan grasping at air, as if they deemed it beneath them to contend with him.

This made Guo Quan’s expression even uglier.

Ouyang Xiaobai smiled coldly.

“Guo Quan, only losers talk about cooperation! Real men fear nothing! If you’re afraid of this contest, you can leave Jiangnan and spare us your embarrassment. Today’s gathering is just a greeting among the three of us; as for the White Tiger Black Iron Token, we’ll each show our skills to win it!”

With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and turned to leave.

Ling Xiao pondered for a moment, then also turned and departed.

Guo Quan raged, cursing loudly.

“Ling Xiao! Ouyang Xiaobai, you two bastards! While I’m still here, you dare to ignore me! I won’t let you off!”