Chapter 27: Third Stage of the Martial Vein

Chapter 27: Third Level Martial Vein

Watching Ling Xiao cultivating inside the room through the window, Hong Qi couldn't help but reveal a gratified smile.

Adopting Ling Xiao back then was perhaps the most correct thing he had ever done.

He left quietly, walking into the courtyard. As he gazed at the stars in the sky, old tears began to stream down his face.

"Your son has grown up; he has become a man of talent. This old beggar has finally not failed the heavy trust you both placed in me. I only hope that you two are also at peace."

Ling Xiao had no idea what was happening outside.

Much less that his parents might still be alive.

His sole focus now was to break through to the third level of the Martial Vein realm. He was currently utilizing the power of the Breakthrough Pill to continuously strike at his third martial vein.

After one night.

Ling Xiao suddenly snapped his eyes open and threw a punch.

*Clang!*

A massive sound rang out as the thick brick wall in front of him was actually smashed to pieces, leaving a large hole.

He could feel that the True Qi throughout his entire body had undergone a staggering improvement; his muscles, bones, meridians, and even his blood seemed to have been significantly strengthened.

This single punch carried at least a thousand pounds of force!

This was the strongest power a martial artist below the third level of the Martial Vein could exert.

"I didn't expect the breakthrough to be this easy. It seems the Mountain and River Martial Soul is indeed extraordinary!"

Ling Xiao knew very well that while the Breakthrough Pill had good effects, it was definitely not this effective on its own.

Ultimately, his success was inseparable from the Mountain and River Martial Soul.

During his breakthrough last night, every time he felt as though he was on the verge of failure, a strange power would always emanate from the Mountain and River Martial Soul, assisting him in breaking through the obstacles.

Furthermore, because he had been suppressing his progress for so many days without breaking through, his power had reached a point where it was almost ready to erupt.

Now that it was released, the breakthrough naturally became much easier.

However, the third level of the Martial Vein was only the beginning!

Though excited, Ling Xiao understood that at his current stage, he was at most on par with first-line disciples like Ling Fei, Ling Feng, and Ling Tieshou.

There was still a gap between him and people like Ling Yixue and Li Xingyun.

Moreover, those people could break through to the fourth level of the Martial Vein at any time.

The jump from the third to the fourth level might seem like just one realm, but there was a world of difference between them.

After all, True Qi could not be compared to Astral Qi.

When power undergoes a qualitative change, every attack receives a qualitative boost.

One could say that unless a third-level Martial Vein practitioner could also use Astral Qi, it would be absolutely impossible to challenge a fourth-level Martial Vein warrior across realms.

The duel between Li Xingyun and the Howling Moon Wolf had made this very clear.

"What happened?"

Hearing the loud noise, Hong Qi rushed over to look and was instantly dumbfounded. "I say, kid, did something go wrong with your cultivation? Why did you demolish the house?"

"Grandpa, I told you, we have money now. We don't need this house; let's just build a new one."

The reason Ling Xiao wanted to become stronger, besides not wanting to be bullied, was naturally to live a good life.

He had truly had enough of living in a house that leaked every time it rained.

"You child, even if we are going to build a house, where will we live in the meantime?" Hong Qi said with a bitter smile.

"Don't worry. The Ling family has rental houses available. We can rent one for a while, and it won't be too late to move back once the house here is repaired."

Ling Xiao smiled and said, "Grandpa, I'll go find a construction crew right now to fix our house."

With that, he ran out excitedly.

Having just broken through to the third level of the Martial Vein, he wasn't afraid of anyone coming to cause trouble.

Or rather, deep down, he actually looked forward to someone causing trouble; that way, he could test just how strong he truly was.

Just as he stepped out of the Ling family gates, a figure at a corner turned and ran away stealthily.

"Senior Brother Xingyun, that guy has come out."

The person reached a small grove of trees, where Li Xingyun was speaking with two middle-aged men.

The strength of these two middle-aged men was equivalent to Li Rui's; both were at the third level of the Martial Vein.

"Good, I understand. You two, here is one hundred taels of silver. I want no survivors—just kill him directly! Once the deed is done, I will give you another hundred taels."

A chilling sneer appeared on Li Xingyun's face.

"Hehe, don't worry, Young Master Li. We brothers have always lived by the rule of taking money to settle troubles. We don't do much else, but killing is easy!"

...

After leaving the Ling residence, Ling Xiao went to the market to find construction workers, settled the arrangements for building the house, and then returned to the Ling family with a light step.

As he passed through a small grove, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Friends, since you've come, why hide your heads and tails?"

He looked toward a tree not far away, his gaze sharp and cold.

"Hahaha, not bad, kid. You actually managed to discover us. It seems your strength isn't weak."

As the voice rang out, two people dropped down from the tree.

Both were in their thirties, wearing black masks. Their attire did not look like that of warriors from Tianfeng City, but rather like bandits.

"The Black Mask Bandits?"

Ling Xiao recognized their appearance.

They were a group of vicious bandits who generally operated around the outskirts of Tianfeng City. However, because the four great families of Tianfeng City were quite powerful, they did not dare to enter the city easily.

Yet, their notoriety was significant. It was said they had a total of six or seven hundred members, led by thirteen chieftains.

They were called the Black Mask Bandits simply because they liked wearing black masks; additionally, members of this group all had curved blades tattooed on their arms, making them easy to identify.

"Kid, since you recognize Grandpa, stop wasting words. Hand over all the silver on you, and we might spare your life!"

Even though they had accepted Li Xingyun's commission, the Black Mask Bandits were notoriously greedy and lustful, and they killed indiscriminately. Naturally, they preferred to maximize their profits.

As they spoke, the two men had already taken up fighting stances on either side, leaving Ling Xiao no chance to escape.

"Heh, the family previously issued a bounty: killing an ordinary Black Mask Bandit earns one hundred taels of silver and ten merit points. Since you two are here, don't bother going back!"

Ling Xiao wore a smile, remaining calm and composed.

One hundred taels was still a large sum to him, but the merit points were even more important.

Generally speaking, only martial artists at the fourth level of the Martial Vein or above were qualified to accept family missions and earn merit points.

Merit points could not only be used to exchange for items within the family but could also increase one's status within the clan.

For thousands of years, the Ling family had operated this way.

As long as one obtained one hundred merit points, they could be promoted from a ninth-class family member to an eighth-class family member.

Ninth-class family members received no regular allowance and could be expelled at any time, meaning they did not enjoy many of the Ling clan's privileges.

Eighth-class family members were different; not only did they receive a monthly allowance, but as long as they did not commit a major error, they would not be expelled, possessing the true status of a Ling family member.

Ling Xiao had been a beggar since childhood, so he desperately hoped to have a family that could provide him with shelter and protection.

Although he had suffered many grievances since coming to the Ling family, he had also gained many benefits, so he naturally had no intention of leaving.

"Kid, you really are as arrogant as the rumors say. Killing us for a reward? I'm afraid you won't have the life for it!"

*As the rumors say?*

Ling Xiao's heart stirred. The only outsiders he had recently come into contact with were those from the Li family.

Could it be that the Black Mask Bandits were actually hired by the Li family to kill him?

He was naturally exceptionally intelligent; once the other party let something slip, he could guess the general idea.

He had known all along that the Li family would not let this go. He had been waiting for them to cause trouble at the Ling residence, but to his surprise, there had been no movement.

Now he understood.

Likely, Li Xingyun and his associates had not reported the truth to their superiors, intending instead to quietly hire someone to deal with him.

(End of Chapter)