Chapter 6 Genius Ling Feng_1
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Although he had anticipated that perfecting Wild Ox Power would allow him to break through, that was, after all, just speculation.
Now that Ling Xiao had personally experienced the destructive power of this fierce strength, he was beyond excited.
It really seemed that providence never completely abandoned anyone, as he initially thought it would take him a month to possibly break through to the Martial Veins Second Layer.
However, on the third day after obtaining the Mountain and River Martial Soul, he had already made the breakthrough.
If things continued at this pace, the future was truly boundless.
The Mountain and River Map underwent another change; the clouds dissipated a little further, revealing a household.
But this household did not belong to humans; it belonged to the Ox Demon Race, one of the Ancient Ten Thousand Clans.
With ox heads and human bodies, they were incredibly strong and possessed terrifying power.
What did this signify?
Ling Xiao was a bit puzzled, but he firmly believed this was not a coincidence. He had just perfected his Wild Ox Power, and a household of the Ox Demon Race appeared in the village; there had to be a connection, and he refused to believe otherwise.
Yet pondering such matters was futile at the moment. His immediate concern was how to face the upcoming annual competition of the Ling Clan.
This competition was the only chance for Outer Disciples to stand out!
Things that were usually unattainable could potentially be acquired through such a major competition.
Of course, you had to earn a ranking.
As his strength increased rapidly, so did his ambition.
Ling Xiao never dared to dream of becoming a martial artist above the Martial Veins Third Layer in the past, because it felt too distant, too unrealistic.
The Martial Pulse Nine Levels, from the first to the third level, represent the Awakening Stage, also referred to by the secular world as the lowest class of fighters, "Martial Students."
The best Martial Students can possess the strength of a thousand catties, able to tear tigers and leopards with their bare hands and battle wolves and bears with their fists; they are already considered exceptional in the eyes of ordinary people.
However, after the Martial Vein Quadruple Layer, a completely different transformation occurs.
From layers four to six, the Gang Qi Stage is entered, where the title of "Wu Tu" is officially bestowed. The most significant feature of this stage is the transformation of True Qi into Gang Qi, allowing one to injure others from a distance.
Having Gang Qi will enable one to do many more things, and it is a goal pursued by countless martial artists.
Many spend their entire lives unable to reach it.
However, now, Ling Xiao strongly felt that he might have the chance to become a Wu Tu!
This dream was no longer intangible but had become very real, within grasp.
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During mealtime, Ling Xiao excitedly shared the news of his breakthrough to the Martial Veins Second Layer with his grandfather.
The old man, after an immense shock and watching Ling Xiao's demonstration, finally believed him with tears streaming down his face.
"Good child, Grandpa is content to see your progress, even if I were to die now."
"Grandpa, after I participate in the annual competition, I'll hire the best doctor to treat your injuries," Ling Xiao promised.
It was quite frustrating to know that his grandfather had a broken rib and yet not have the money to treat it, causing the old man to suffer and sleep poorly at night.
But all Ling Xiao could do was to improve himself as quickly as possible. The awards for the annual competition were abundant and could be chosen freely.
Just endure a little longer, it was almost time.
"Grandpa is fine, don't push yourself too hard. Although you've broken through to the Martial Veins Second Layer, there are many martial artists with this strength, and if you strain yourself too much, you'll get hurt," the old man said.
His grandfather's thoughts were simple; he did not want Ling Xiao to get injured for his sake.
Yet Ling Xiao's thoughts were equally simple; to heal his grandfather's injuries and make a name for himself, he absolutely had to rank well in this year's competition.
There was still time, so next, he would head to the Book Collection Pavilion to select a more advanced martial arts cultivation technique suitable for him.
With a better cultivation technique, he believed his progress would be even faster.
The Book Collection Pavilion, as the name suggested, was a place that stored books, mostly martial arts manuals, in addition to some of the Ling Family's historical records.
After eating, Ling Xiao couldn't wait to rush to the Book Collection Pavilion, and although many people pointed at him and whispered along the way,
he didn't care.
An increase in strength was better than anything else.
"Little beggar!"
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Suddenly, a crisp sound came from the entrance of the Book Collection Pavilion, as a man and a woman emerged.
The woman was lively and cute, with a bold and provocative appearance.
The man had a heroic aura, dignified and handsome, with impressive strength.
The one they called "Little Beggar Ling Xiao" was that very woman, who also was the spoiled miss who used to bully him and his grandfather.
Later, when he became a disciple of the Ling Clan, the woman was very attentive to him, but after a long time, when he failed to break through to Martial Veins Second Layer,
she spoke harshly to him and threw herself into the arms of the young man beside her.
Ling Xiao truly had no fond feelings for this girl.
What good is being cute if one has a heart more poisonous than a snake or scorpion? She's just a rotten wood gilded with gold!
"So you're the little beggar mentioned by Sister Yu? You've actually broken through to the Martial Veins Second Layer, not bad. But among the outer disciples, you're still quite inferior. You need to keep working hard,"
the young man looked down at Ling Xiao with a condescending gaze, speaking as if he were a superior looking down from above, before Ling Xiao could respond to Ling Yu.
"Ling Feng, a core-lineage disciple of the Ling Clan, at the peak of Martial Veins Third Layer cultivation level, disciple of the Ling Clan's Elite Hall!"
Ling Xiao looked at Ling Feng; in the past, this man made him feel nothing but inferiority and helplessness.
But now, he was unconcerned. Martial Veins Third Layer was nothing; he would break through it soon enough.
"Ling Yu, you sure have chosen a good man. But Ling Feng, this woman once discarded me like an old shoe. One day, she may very well do the same to you,"
Ling Xiao said indifferently.
Although they were both thirteen-year-olds, he didn't think Ling Feng was any better than him.
"Hmph, I don't think there's anything wrong with what Sister Yu has done. Women liking strong men has been the way since ancient times,"
Ling Feng snorted coldly.
Ling Xiao chuckled lightly, "Are you so confident that I will never catch up to or surpass you?"
"Yes!"
Ling Feng said arrogantly.
"Well then, I won't say much more. The two of you go ahead. I have to head to the Book Collection Pavilion,"
Ling Xiao said, dismissing them.
"Wait a minute!"
Ling Yu looked at Ling Xiao with a teasing smile, "Little Beggar, one's destiny is predetermined by heaven. If you're born a beggar, you can only be a beggar for life."
"But I am now a disciple of the Ling Clan!"
"It's useless. Sooner or later, you'll still just be a beggar. If you don't place in this year's competition, you won't be able to enter the Elite Hall. Without entering the Elite Hall, you'll have to reach the Martial Veins Third Layer as a martial artist before the age of fourteen. Can you do it? If you can't, you'll have to go back to being a beggar."
Ling Yu said smugly.
"Of course, there's another option. Just obediently become a servant for the Ling Family. Like if you hang around with my Brother Feng, he can protect you from being bullied by that Ling Chong."
A scornful sneer appeared on Ling Xiao's face, even when he didn't have the Mountain and River Martial Soul.
He had never thought of being anyone's servant.
And especially now that he was a changed person, Ling Chong, Ling Feng — sooner or later they would all be trampled under his feet. They expect him to be a servant?
Ridiculous!
"Has no one told you that I've already beaten Ling Chong so badly that he's bedridden?"
Ling Xiao said calmly.
"Hmph, you're trash, and Ling Chong is trash! A fight between trash is hardly worth speaking of,"
suddenly, Ling Feng spoke up again.
"Trash, am I? The last person who called me trash ended up with two broken ribs. I wonder how you'll fare?"
Ling Xiao looked at Ling Feng without any intention of backing down.
"Hahaha, good! You've got guts for trash. Don't worry, I won't lay a hand on you today. There's less than half a month till the annual competition. Then, I'll show you that trash will always be trash, and servants will never rise above their masters!"
Ling Feng laughed hysterically as if he had just heard the biggest joke in the world.
"Then let's see who is superior at that time,"
Ling Xiao replied.