"Ling Xiao, your performance justifies your confidence. From today onward, the Ling Family will prioritize your cultivation. I also hope you won’t let down this old man’s earnest expectations,"
Ling Xiaotian was skilled with words. Regardless of his sincerity, his speech was extremely pleasing to Ling Xiao’s ears.
"If not for the Clan Leader, Ling Xiao wouldn’t have been qualified to compete today. I will naturally remember the Clan Leader’s kindness."
Truth be told, his impression of the entire Ling Family wasn’t good, but his impression of this Ling Xiaotian was quite favorable.
"After you return, decide promptly on your future direction. A weapon that suits you can greatly enhance your combat strength. An ordinary treasure is too important for you right now, so make sure to choose well."
Ling Xiaotian reminded, "After you’ve made your choice, come directly to me to claim it."
"The disciple understands."
"All right, you may go."
Ling Xiao also felt that it was time to decide what weapon to use.
Though fighting barehanded sometimes proved helpful, a weapon, especially one with an enhancing effect, could immensely boost a martial artist’s combat effectiveness.
Why was his strongest attack now the Hundred Steps Flying Sword?
It wasn’t because the martial arts technique was exceptional; the key lay in the special bonus effect of the Gentle Breeze Sword, which was an ordinary treasure.
"Ling Xiao, congratulations to you!"
Having received his award, Ling Xiao had no intention of staying any longer; he was not fond of the chaotic atmosphere.
However, just as he took a few steps, Ling Yihang approached him.
Even though he had defeated Ling Yihang before, he held no grudge against him. On the contrary, he quite admired his personality.
"You were very eye-catching in the competition too."
"Hehe, you two should stop flattering each other. This time, one of you secured first place, and the other fourth—truly a proud moment for both our Elite Hall and the lower-ranked disciples,"
The laughter was followed by the beautiful visage of Ling Yixue.
Perhaps because of her satisfactory results, Ling Yixue’s usually serious face had a few more traces of smiles.
"You didn’t do too bad either, Senior Yi,"
Ling Xiao smiled and said, "Sixth place in the Genius Hall is quite an achievement. I bet many didn’t see that coming."
"How can I compare with you? Truly unexpected, you actually managed to defeat Ling Feifan. That was indeed a surprise."
Ling Yixue had high hopes for Ling Xiao, but she was still very surprised that he could defeat Ling Feifan.
"Actually, I was just lucky. I was being chased by an assassin and stumbled upon a fortuitous encounter, which allowed me to elevate my realm to the late stage of the Martial Pulse Fifth Level and to cultivate the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique to the sixth rotation,"
Ling Xiao shook his head and said, "Come to think of it, I should even be thankful to the person who hired the assassin, right?"
"Who tried to kill you?"
Ling Yihang asked in shock.
"Ling Shisan, I guess,"
Ling Yixue frowned and said, "Other than him, I can’t think of anyone else."
Ling Xiao smiled and replied, "Senior Yi Xue is indeed as intelligent as snow; it was indeed Ling Shisan."
"So, what do you plan to do? Now that you are akin to an elder, you could completely report Ling Shisan to the Clan Leader,"
Ling Yihang suggested.
Ling Yixue shook her head and said, "After all, flesh and blood ties run deep. How could they possibly be harsh on their son? This matter, for now, is likely something we must patiently endure."
Ling Xiao nodded and said, "I’m not yet a match for Ling Shisan, so I can only bide my time, but if pushed too far, I won’t let him get away with it."
If he were to recklessly attempt to kill Ling Shisan now, he could certainly succeed.
"All right, let’s drop the subject and head back together."
Ling Xiao, Ling Yihang, and Ling Yixue all lived near Second Master Ling’s residence, so they shared the same path, and now they were publicly supporting Second Master Ling.
After all, the Ling Family was a clan, not a sect, so the position of Clan Leader could only be passed to one of Ling Xiaotian’s sons.
Unless one day, something extraordinary happened.
Therefore, supporting Second Master Ling was not a bad idea at all, at least many hidden arrows could be blocked by Second Master Ling’s help.
As the trio departed, Ling Yun narrowed his eyes and said to Ling Feifan at his side, "Ling Feifan, the woman you have your eye on is truly extraordinary. She has keen judgment, showing no response to your long pursuit, yet now she favors that Ling Xiao."
Although Ling Feifan knew that Ling Yun was trying to sow discord, he still could not bear seeing Ling Yixue and Ling Xiao laughing and talking together.
"She is my woman, and no one else is going to take her away, Ling Xiao! The humiliation of today, I will certainly pay back double one day!"
With those words, Ling Feifan followed his grandfather, the Elder Supreme of the Ling Family, and left.
The Ling Family had only three Elder Supremes, which made them the strongest existence in the family aside from Ling Xiaotian. It was only natural for Ling Feifan to improve quickly under his guidance.
"Grandson, that Ling Xiao only narrowly defeated you because he encountered a fortuitous adventure, but he was right about one thing. You lack real-life experience, it’s grandpa’s fault for doting on you too much. Prepare yourself to go out and gain experience, don’t go too far, just within the Northern Han Kingdom. Come back once a month!"
"Your grandson obeys!"
On the other hand, Ling Yixue walking shoulder to shoulder with Ling Xiao envied many of the young men in the Ling Family.
But what good was their envy?
Ling Xiao was the number one of Genius Hall, and it was only natural for a beauty to admire him.
What they didn’t know was that at the moment, neither Ling Xiao nor Ling Yixue had any thoughts of love or affection.
Ling Xiao was very clear that winning the number one spot in the annual competition was just a beginning. His painful past lessons had taught him that without strength, he would be at the mercy of others.
Within the family, there were enemies like Ling Jiu and Ling Shisan.
Outside the family, the fact that he had killed Li Xingyun hadn’t been exposed yet, but there are no walls in the world that don’t have ears.
One day, the Li Clan would learn of it.
At that time, it was uncertain whether the Ling Family would fully support him, so he had to continue to enhance his strength, to become so strong that no matter who came for him, he would not be afraid.
She was an orphan, never having known real happiness, and only wanted to keep improving her strength so that one day she could leave Tianfeng City, leave the Northern Han Kingdom, and uncover the mystery of her origins.
Of course, the two did have some mutual affection for each other, which couldn’t be denied.
After returning home, Grandpa Hong Qi had already prepared dinner and was waiting for them.
This time, Ling Xiao securing the first place in Genius Hall truly made Hong Qi feel proud and elated.
The little radish head had now officially joined the Ling Family and became a disciple, receiving the name Ling Luo.
Of course, all these matters were arranged by Second Master Ling, and Ling Xiao did not need to worry too much about them.
However, if he hadn’t fought his way to the top and secured the first place in both the elimination and the final competition, ultimately becoming the king over all the disciples of the Ling Family, Second Master Ling probably wouldn’t have helped a little beggar.
In this world, there is no love without reason, nor hate without cause.
The stronger he became, the safer his family would be.
After dinner, Ling Xiao returned to the Practice Room.
To participate in the final competition, he had paused his cultivation to break through the Peak of Fifth Level Martial Pulse. Now that the final was over, he had obtained ten Gang Qi Pills.
Together with the Cold Pond Golden Fluid stored in the Mountain and River World, it was time to make a breakthrough.
Although he won against Ling Feifan this time, his real trump cards had yet to be used—
Martial Dao Will, Soul Entry, Hundred Steps Flying Sword, Mountain and River Martial Soul!
If someone thought he had given his all and came looking for trouble, he would surely show them what true despair was!