Chapter 56: Elevation of Status

Having obtained the Martial Will, Ling Xiao did not immediately go to rest. Instead, he sat cross-legged in the training room; he wanted to properly feel what this Martial Will actually was.

How to apply it to his martial arts.

After all, will is a very illusory thing; there is still a vast distance between possessing it and truly mastering it.

Two hours passed, and Ling Xiao exhaled a breath of turbid air.

A hint of excitement appeared on his face.

Previously, he had intended to use the "Ox Demon Art: Hundred-Step Killing Sword" as his trump card, but now it seemed that the Martial Will was his greatest trump card.

However, this was for the best; the more trump cards he had, the higher his chances of taking first place in the grand finals.

But this was still not enough.

Based on his current situation, Ling Xiao felt that his offense was temporarily sufficient and his movement techniques posed no major issues, but there was one massive flaw.

That was defense.

The body is a miraculous thing; the more it is tempered, the higher the defense becomes. What he lacked now were defensive martial arts.

Although the "Brute Ox Strength" could also be used for defense, it was not a dedicated defensive technique. It might suffice against those with lower strength, but against those with higher strength, it was of little use.

Thinking of this, he stood up and walked out of the training room.

Some things cannot be forced. He intended to rest first, as his mind was already feeling somewhat heavy due to continuous cultivation.

Returning to his room, Ling Xiao rested for about an hour before getting up.

A martial artist is, after all, a martial artist—especially one who had already broken through to the fourth stage of the Martial Vein's Gangqi phase. Their rest time could be significantly reduced, and their speed of mental recovery was far faster than that of an ordinary person.

"Little fellow, someone is outside looking for you!"

Hong Qi's voice came from outside the door.

"Coming, Grandfather!"

Ling Xiao got up, washed his face, and walked out of the room. Sitting in the living room was a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothing.

The man was about forty years old, with a square face and a dignified appearance that carried a certain air of dominance.

"Second Master!"

Ling Xiao was startled. This person was Ling Xiaotian's second son. His martial cultivation was close to that of Old Master Ling, making him arguably the most powerful among the sixteen sons of the Ling family.

Even the Mountain and River Martial Soul was temporarily unable to peer into Second Master Ling's strength.

"Hahaha, so you are Ling Xiao. Not bad, not bad at all!"

Second Master Ling looked at Ling Xiao as if trying to see right through the young man.

To be honest, Ling Xiao felt a bit nervous facing that gaze, but fortunately, the other party was still unable to penetrate the hidden function of his strength template.

"The peak of the third stage of the Martial Vein, with over ninety-nine percent of the Gangqi refined. It looks like you are only one step away from breaking through to the fourth stage."

"Thank you for the praise, Second Master. May I ask what brings you here today?" Ling Xiao asked respectfully.

He did not want to cause trouble. Offending the Thirteenth Son might still leave him a chance to live, but offending this Second Master would undoubtedly mean certain death.

"I think highly of you!"

Second Master Ling said directly, getting straight to the point. "To reach this level of strength at thirteen, you are even more impressive than Ling Feifan. Therefore, I want you to become one of my people."

"What do you mean by that?"

Ling Xiao asked in confusion.

"It's simple. The Old Master has sixteen sons, and every single one of them wants to fight for the position of Family Head. I don't require you to do anything special on a regular basis; I only need you to support me at critical moments," Second Master Ling said with a smile.

"Second Master must be joking. I am merely at the peak of the third stage of the Martial Vein. What help could I possibly provide you?" Ling Xiao said cautiously.

"I do not misjudge people. Although you are only at the peak of the third stage now, I also know that it took you only half a month to go from the first stage to the peak of the third. I have never heard of such terrifying potential, so I am certain your future is bright."

Second Master Ling said seriously, "Collaborate with me, and you will not lose out. Whether it is the Ninth Son or the Thirteenth Son wanting to move against you, they will have to ask if I agree."

Ling Xiao considered this carefully. Although he had obtained the Mountain and River Martial Soul and possessed terrifying potential, his actual strength was still insufficient.

If the Ninth or Thirteenth sons truly disregarded the family rules and insisted on killing him, he could run, but his grandfather, Hong Qi, would be in trouble.

There was nothing bad about receiving Second Master Ling's protection. In any case, in the Ling family, one would eventually have to take a side; the internal strife in such a large clan was extremely severe.

"Very well. Since Second Master Ling thinks so highly of me, I accept," Ling Xiao nodded.

"Good! Decisive!"

Second Master Ling slapped the table and said, "In that case, I am relieved. In addition to providing protection, you will also receive one thousand taels of silver in cultivation funds from me every month. Other medicinal pills and martial arts will be calculated separately."

"Also, I heard about your house construction. I have already ordered them to stop. How could that place be worthy of you? Later, you and your grandfather will move into the house I have provided for you. Not only is the environment better, but it is also more suitable for cultivation!"

Hearing this, Ling Xiao could not help but feel a sense of shock.

This Second Master Ling truly intended to cultivate him properly.

While one thousand taels and a house might mean nothing to someone like Second Master Ling, it was, after all, a sign of sincerity.

One must realize that previously, he had not even been qualified to receive a single tael of silver from the Ling family, let alone a house.

"I am grateful for Second Master Ling's patronage. If one day you require assistance, Ling Xiao will certainly help with all his might!"

He would not sell himself to Second Master Ling, but if Second Master Ling faced trouble, he would naturally help.

"Good! Since that is the case, let's not delay. You lot, why haven't you helped Ling Xiao move yet?"

Second Master Ling shouted to the people outside.

He truly meant what he said.

Ling Xiao did not object.

Soon, he moved into the new home with Second Master Ling.

This place was much larger than the previously rented house and was equipped with much better facilities. Not only that, but it was also staffed with two servants and two maids specifically responsible for managing daily life.

As for various daily necessities and furniture, everything was provided in full.

This way, Ling Xiao basically no longer had to worry about Hong Qi's living conditions.

The old man could fully enjoy his senior years.

As for safety, it was even less of a concern. Unless Second Master Ling himself was killed, no one would dare to trespass here.

With his daily life settled, Ling Xiao no longer had any worries. He could now focus entirely on increasing his strength.

All of this seemed like Second Master Ling's patronage, but in reality, it was because of his strength.

It was precisely because his potential was so immense that Second Master Ling valued him.

In truth, even without Second Master Ling, others would likely come looking for him. In a family like this, trying to remain neutral was the most foolish decision one could make.

Ling Xiao's agreement to Second Master Ling was also based on his own considerations.

At the very least, Second Master Ling's strength was top-tier among the sixteen sons of Ling Xiaotian, and his personality was relatively bold and straightforward, possessing some of Ling Xiaotian's charisma.

He was not narrow-minded like the Thirteenth or Ninth sons.

His cultivation at the fourth stage of the Martial Vein was already stable. What he needed to do now was to completely master the "Ox Demon Art: Meteor Killing Punch" to the level of Perfection.

Every bit of increased strength would raise his chances of victory in the grand finals.

Another day passed, with six days remaining until the grand finals.

Through continuous effort, Ling Xiao finally elevated the "Ox Demon Art: Meteor Killing Punch" to the level of Perfection.

Once the "Ox Demon Art: Meteor Killing Punch" entered the state of Perfection, its power became even more terrifying. Accompanied by thick, heavy Gangqi, a single punch thrown was like the roar of an ox demon and the fall of a meteor, possessing an incredibly massive momentum.

(End of Chapter)