After registering, only the last two days remained before the annual grand competition.
But even with only two days left, nobody wanted to waste time.
Including Ling Xiao, almost all the disciples who had registered began a brief period of seclusion, hoping to achieve some breakthroughs in these last two days.
After all, many people had accumulated quite a bit over the year, and a breakthrough might very well be just around the corner.
Additionally, the trace of Gang Qi generously given by Elder Ling had a huge impact on many disciples.
Even because of this strand of Gang Qi, some had already experienced a qualitative change in their strength.
Ling Xiao was not the only one!
In the last two days, Ling Xiao strove to condense nine-tenths of the Gang Qi in his third Martial Vein.
Yet the remaining tenth failed to make any further progress.
It seemed that he would have to wait for the Gang Qi Pill to be refined.
After all, even if the competition began, it would last for several days, and there were precedents for disciples breaking through during the competition itself.
On the eve of the annual grand competition.
Ling Xiao ceased all cultivation and decided to get a good night’s sleep.
Nothing was better for replenishing one’s physical strength than sleep.
These days of intense cultivation indeed necessitated some proper rest.
By now, "Soaring Cloud Step: Transforming Flood Dragon" had been cultivated to the third layer.
"Ox Demon Technique: Condensing Shura" had also reached the third layer.
Ling Xiao’s understanding of these two martial arts had also deepened.
He discovered that "Ox Demon Technique" was actually a special type of internal cultivation mind technique, which could be used to display all the martial arts he had devoured, causing these martial arts to undergo a qualitative transformation.
For example, "Falling Star Fist" would become "Ox Demon Technique: Meteor Evil Fist";
"Hundred Steps Flying Sword Technique" would become "Ox Demon Technique: Hundred Steps Evil Qi Sword";
and there were also "Ox Demon Technique: Violent Qi Formula", "Ox Demon Technique: Returning Qi Formula", "Ox Demon Technique: Fiery Sun Evil Qi", "Ox Demon Technique: Savage Ox Evil Qi Force", and so on.
He just needed to elevate the level of "Ox Demon Technique: Condensing Evil Spirits", and the power of these martial arts would naturally increase, with no need to cultivate them separately.
The same martial arts, when wielded by him, would have different powers – this was his greatest reliance for victory.
In fact, even without Gang Qi, facing ordinary Martial Meridian Third Layer martial artists, he had no reason to be fearful.
"Tomorrow will be the birth of a new legend!"
Ling Xiao looked at the moonlight outside the window, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.
Inside a separate courtyard of the Ling Clan’s main residence.
Under the moonlight, dressed in white as snow, a person’s long sword moved with the wind, and with one thrust, a distant boulder split, turning into powder.
The sword light was as fast as lightning, its power unrivaled!
This one thrust, had it been directed at the Howling Moon Wolf that had previously given the Li Family Members a hard time, would have likely injured even the wolf.
What seemed like a simple thrust packed a power comparable to Li Xingyun’s Wild Wind Sword back then.
It could be said that this thrust, facing Martial Vein Third Layer martial artists, could be virtually invincible.
"Feng, you have now basically grasped the true essence of the ’Wind-swaying Willow Sword’, and it wasn’t in vain that your father thickened his face to get this advanced sword technique for you. It is rare to find someone who can cultivate advanced martial arts to complete power at the pinnacle of Martial Meridian Third Layer – you should be proud of yourself!"
Standing a dozen meters away from the young man was a martial artist in his thirties, who couldn’t help showing a relieved smile at his son’s sword techniques reaching great success.
The young man was none other than Ling Feng, ranked third among the disciples of Elite Hall, and the middle-aged man was his father.
"Not just that! I am also close to comprehending the secret of transforming Qi into Gang. If I can breakthrough during the fight, even Ling Yihang wouldn’t concern me!"
Ling Feng said with a smile.
"Let’s not talk about Ling Yihang, but that kid named Ling Xiao, you can easily defeat him," said the middle-aged man.
"Ling Xiao? That little beggar? Does father truly think I would consider him a worthy opponent?"
Ling Feng disdainfully said, "This time, my son’s target is the top ten on the Stone Wall Rankings! What is Ling Xiao anyway!"
"Hahaha, well said, well said, indeed, your father has fallen a step behind!"
If Ling Feng truly harbored some apprehension about Ling Xiao when he signed up, then today, having completely mastered the Wind-swaying Willow Sword to great success, he no longer saw Ling Xiao as a threat.
In another part of the Ling Clan, within a wooden cabin,
Ling Yixue was drenched in sweat.
But her bright eyes shone with a trace of excitement.
Someone was sitting on the windowsill, smiling at her.
"Yi Xue, I didn’t expect you to condense Gang Qi before the start of the Grand Tournament. Now, in the Elite Hall, apart from that Ling Yihang, there is no one else who can be your opponent!"
"Ling Feifan, don’t be so affectionate, there’s nothing between us, and don’t forget, the top ten of the Elite Hall competition are eligible to challenge the disciples of the Genius Hall. By then, just don’t lose to me!"
The person sitting on the windowsill was none other than Ling Feifan, one of the Four Young Masters of Tianfeng City, and the undisputed top talent of the Genius Hall.
"Hahaha, I am waiting for that!"
Ling Feifan stood up laughing, his gaze profound, "Probably the only one who could defeat me is you, since I like you after all."
"Don’t be too arrogant. This time, Ling Yihang is definitely your biggest threat!"
"Hmm, that kid Ling Yihang is indeed good, I wouldn’t doubt him entering the top three, but to defeat me, hehe, that’s still a bit too early."
Ling Feifan said with a faint smile.
"Seems like you’ve done quite a detailed investigation on Ling Yihang, but there’s another person you might be quite surprised by."
The image of Ling Xiao flashed through Ling Yixue’s mind.
"After the tournament ends, you’ll find out. This person might be a strong competitor for you, for me, and for Ling Yihang."
"Oh, I didn’t expect you to hold this person in such high regard, Yi Xue. Now I’m even more interested. Alright, I’ll be going back. Do your best, Yi Xue, as long as you can make it into the top ten of the Elite Hall, you will be able to enter the competition within the Genius Hall."
With that, Ling Feifan’s figure lightly shifted and he had already vanished into the night sky.
In the Ninth Master Mansion of the Ling Clan,
the place was luxurious and opulent.
At this moment, Ling Jiu’s face was very somber.
"Chong’er, I know you don’t have much hope, but this time you must break into the top fifty for me, otherwise don’t bother asking me for anything else in the future!"
"Dad, I will not only break into the top fifty, but I will also use Ling Xiao as a stepping stone!"
Ling Chong clenched his teeth and said.
Ling Jiu paid him no more mind and turned to speak to Ling Tieshou, "Tieshou, you lost to Ling Xiao last time because you were too complacent. This time, having mastered the Giant Spirit Palm Technique, it’s time to reclaim your own stage."
"Understood, Ninth Master!"
Ling Tieshou said through clenched teeth, "As long as I encounter Ling Xiao, I’ll make sure he knows what it feels like to humiliate me!"
That day he registered, his Giant Spirit Palm Technique had not yet reached its full power of tenfold, but now, with the help of medicinal strength, he had reached that level.
Not only to make it into the top ten, but more importantly, to wash away his previous disgrace.
Inside a secret practice room, Ling Yihang suddenly opened his eyes.
"I’ve broken through! I’ve finally broken through!"
Having reached Martial Vein Quadruple Layer at a crucial time, the trace of Gang Qi from Elder Ling, Ling Xiaotian, had greatly helped him.
"Ling Feifan! It’s time for that number one spot to change hands!"
Among all the disciples of the Genius Hall and Elite Hall, Ling Yihang now only had his sights set on Ling Feifan.
He no longer cared about the others.