"Ling Xiao, are you sure you want to choose these three top-level martial arts?"
Seeing the three top-level martial arts Ling Xiao had selected, Second Master Ling immediately showed a bitter expression.
"If there’s anything you’d like to say, Second Master Ling, please feel free, don’t hesitate."
Second Master Ling sighed and said, "Initially, the ’Heavy Shadow Sword Technique’ was designated as a superior top-level martial art, because it not only has the ability to confuse opponents but also possesses a terrifyingly powerful attack. The combined attacks of the three shadow avatars and the original body can overlap, and their power can even approach that of the legendary transcendent martial arts."
"Then why did it become a beginner-level top martial art?"
"Alas, the frustration lies here. This martial art is extremely difficult to practice. Despite being in the Ling family for so many years, not a single person has succeeded in mastering it, simply because they couldn’t condense the avatars, and all the practice was in vain,"
Second Master Ling said with a wry smile.
"In that case, I have even more reason to choose it. Others can’t master it, which proves its uniqueness."
Ling Xiao thought of the ’Soaring Cloud Step’ and ’Bull Demon Technique’ he had acquired and felt that, since the ’Heavy Shadow Sword Technique’ had once been classified as a superior top-level martial art, there must certainly be a reason for it.
The ’Heavy Shadow Sword Technique’ is divided into six layers, and there is only one requirement for its practice: the cultivator must possess profound strength, otherwise, it is absolutely impossible to produce an avatar.
As Second Master Ling had mentioned before, the most terrifying aspect of this sword technique is that the attacks of the original body and the avatars can be stacked.
Once cultivated to the highest layer, the three avatars and the original body attacking together can nearly double the attack power. Just in terms of attack power, it’s probably one of the most top-tier among the top martial arts.
"Since you’ve chosen it, I can’t stop you, but there are still some things I must say."
Second Master Ling said earnestly, "Our clan leader has also practiced this martial art, but in the end, he still couldn’t condense a single avatar and had to give up reluctantly. Thus, there’s a rumor claiming that although this martial art is a top-level one, it requires a transcendent warrior for successful cultivation."
"Do you think I won’t be able to succeed either?"
Ling Xiao asked with a smile.
Second Master Ling was taken aback and fell into deep thought.
Right, the ’Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique’ is also an incredibly difficult top-level martial art to master, yet this young man has succeeded. Perhaps he could indeed create another miracle.
Second Master Ling suddenly said, "You managed to cultivate basic and advanced martial arts to the transcendental realm. Your talent and comprehension ability, even the old man can’t compare. ’Heavy Shadow Sword Technique’ has been sealed for so many years, perhaps it will indeed be unveiled by you."
Ling Xiao said confidently.
The reason he was so confident was not because he felt his talent necessarily surpassed that of Ling Xiaotian, but because the Mountain and River Martial Soul had already given him the answer.
The method of condensing avatars in the ’Heavy Shadow Sword Technique’ is exactly the same as that of the Martial Soul Avatar, where the avatar is a fusion of soul power and Gang Qi.
Most people do not possess a Martial Soul, so of course, they can’t condense an avatar, and naturally, they cannot cultivate the sword technique.
"If you can successfully practice the ’Heavy Shadow Sword Technique,’ perhaps you can challenge Ling Chen."
Second Master Ling stroked his chin and said.
"Ling Chen? The one who has just come back?" Ling Xiao asked with a frown.
This Ling Chen seemed very impressive, having garnered the attention of everyone in the clan as soon as he returned, completely overshadowing him as the champion of the annual competition.
"Yes, him. This youth seems to have understood parts of the transcendent martial arts scriptures, and his strength is beyond imagination. He was able to defeat Ling Feifan easily with a single move. Do you think you can do that?"
Second Master Ling asked.
Ling Xiao thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Hmm, you are very modest and honest. However, I believe in your potential. Surpassing that Ling Chen is only a matter of time,"
Second Master Ling said with a smile, "But you should also be aware that Ling Chen is Ling Shisan’s son, deeply favored by the Clan Leader. It is very likely that with his return, he will be taken to the fourth floor to observe the remnants of transcendent martial arts and receive major cultivation support from the family. He might even be gifted one or two thousand-year-old Xue Lians."
"Ling Chen is also Ling Shisan’s son?"
Ling Xiao was somewhat surprised.
"You probably don’t know, but my brother has three sons and a daughter—Feng, Chen, Yun, and Xia. Only Ling Feng and Ling Yun are in the clan. Ling Chen became a disciple of a knight-errant at the age of thirteen, traveling abroad. As for Yun Xia, she is even more impressive; you will find out in the future,"
Second Master Ling said with a wry smile, "Although your achievements are outstanding, you are an outsider after all, while Ling Chen is the Clan Leader’s own grandson and will certainly receive more than you."
He truly felt that Ling Xiao was undervalued, considering that Ling Xiao was the champion of the competition, the one who defeated Ling Feifan, one of the Four Young Masters of Tianfeng City.
By rights, Ling Xiao would be the one qualified to be taken to the fourth floor for observation.
Unfortunately, Ling Chen made his return.
There has always been a rule in the Ling Family’s Book Pavilion Fourth Floor – within a year, only two people are allowed to be taken there for observation.
Ling Chen is undoubtedly one of them.
The other spot is likely Ling Feifan’s.
As the grandson of Elder Supreme, Ling Feifan’s status is no less than Ling Chen’s.
He shared these things with Ling Xiao only to gain his favor.
Similar to Ling Xiao, Second Master Ling is considered an "illegitimate child" that Ling Xiaotian fathered outside of the clan and doesn’t hold much status within the clan.
Even though he is equally talented and stands out among Ling Xiaotian’s thirteen children, he doesn’t receive much attention.
Even to this day, Second Master Ling hasn’t been able to bring his own birth mother to live in the Ling Ancestral Residence.
"Thank you for telling me all this, Second Master Ling. But is the fourth floor just home to pieces of transcendent martial arts? Aren’t there any complete transcendent martial arts?"
Ling Xiao asked eagerly.
"To my knowledge, none of the Four Great Families of Tianfeng City have complete transcendent martial arts. Even the fragments are limited to only four or five kinds,"
Second Master Ling shook his head, "You see, transcendent martial arts are above common martial arts and only martial artists who have practiced to the Martial Pulse Ninth Level are eligible to receive and cultivate them."
"I see, now I am at ease."
If Ling Chen and Ling Feifan actually got their hands on transcendent martial arts, then he would have no chance.
"Second Master Ling, you mentioned earlier that the three top martial arts I chose weren’t very suitable. I already know the reason for the Heavy Shadow Sword Technique. What about the other two?"
Ling Xiao quickly shifted the topic. He did not want to dwell too much on things he couldn’t change.
"The Sword-Controlling Technique Black Iron Scroll is also good martial arts, but it requires a Flying Sword Technique as its foundation, and this technique should be advanced martial arts and cultivated to the Transcendental Realm; otherwise, it’s unattainable,"
Second Master Ling said, "Moreover, this martial arts technique needs a quality flying sword to utilize. Flying swords, being shorter and thinner than ordinary longswords, are difficult to forge and quite rare."
"I understand. What about the Soul Condensation Art?"
Ling Xiao was secretly relieved. He had cultivated the Hundred Steps Flying Sword Technique to the Transcendental Realm, which definitely qualified him to cultivate the Sword-Controlling Technique Black Iron Scroll. As for the flying sword, there was no need to worry for now. His Gentle Breeze Sword was, after all, an ordinary treasure that could still serve well for a long time.