Chapter 30: Soaring Clouds Transforming into a Flood Dragon

"...'Cloud-Soaring Steps: Dragon Transformation,' a top-tier movement technique condensed from dozens of different footwork styles. When paired with the extraordinary technique 'Bull Demon Art: Malice Condensation,' it produces miraculous effects. If mastered to the Great Perfection stage, no one below the sixth level of the Martial Vein can match it, and it remains a top-tier movement technique even below the ninth level of the Martial Vein."

"It requires a high-level movement technique as a foundation to continue improving."

"If combined with Astral Qi, it can even produce offensive effects."

As expected, after reaching the sixth layer, the 'Cloud-Soaring Steps' underwent a qualitative change, and there seemed to be some special connection with the 'Bull Demon Art.'

It now appeared that the 'Cloud-Soaring Steps' and the 'Bull Demon Art' were not independent techniques; they were complementary to one another.

Astral Qi!

He had to comprehend Astral Qi immediately!

Whether it was the 'Bull Demon Art: Malice Condensation' or the 'Cloud-Soaring Steps: Dragon Transformation,' both required Astral Qi to exert their true effects.

However, when he closed his eyes once more to comprehend the Astral Qi, even though he had clearly transformed the True Qi within his three Martial Veins into Astral Qi, he failed at the very moment of success.

All the Astral Qi dispersed once again, reverting back into True Qi.

Ling Xiao was utterly perplexed by this.

He sat there contemplating for a while before finally standing up.

He couldn't just keep mulling it over by himself; he had to find someone who understood Astral Qi and ask them.

He was, after all, a disciple of the Ling family, and he believed the Ling family would not simply ignore him.

After all, the Ling family was a vast forest with all kinds of birds; just because someone like Ling Chong existed didn't mean everyone was like that. For instance, that senior uncle from the Medicine Hall was a very good person.

With this thought, he abandoned the idea of continuing his secluded cultivation.

He then exited the training room.

At that moment, he saw his grandfather, Hong Qi, pacing back and forth, looking quite anxious.

"What's wrong, Grandpa? Has something happened again?" Ling Xiao asked in confusion.

"You're out of seclusion, child? It's like this—your senior uncle from the Medicine Hall just came over to have tea with me and told me something," Hong Qi said. "Old Master Ling is coming out of seclusion tomorrow, and all disciples must attend the welcoming ceremony."

"Do I have to go?" Ling Xiao frowned.

To be honest, he didn't want to join the commotion.

With so many disciples in the Ling family, what difference would it make if he went? Would Old Master Ling even recognize him?

"It's not that, but your senior uncle said that every time Old Master Ling comes out of seclusion, he provides guidance on cultivation to the disciples. Even if it's just a single sentence, it is enough to benefit the disciples immensely!" Hong Qi explained. "More importantly, if you catch Old Master Ling's eye and are taken in as a personal disciple, your status will be incredibly high."

"It seems I really must go!"

To say Ling Xiao didn't want to become Old Master Ling's disciple would be a lie.

After all, Old Master Ling was the strongest existence in the Ling family. While he didn't know his exact strength, he was definitely far more powerful than anyone else.

More importantly, if he became his disciple, would there ever be issues with resources in the future?

After receiving guidance from Old Master Ling, many things might become much easier.

And even if he couldn't become Old Master Ling's disciple, gaining even a sliver of enlightenment from his guidance would be excellent.

"I'll go!" Ling Xiao nodded. "When is he coming out?"

"Go quickly; he'll likely emerge any moment now."

The reason Hong Qi was anxious was that time was running short.

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao said nothing more, turned around, and left the courtyard. His speed was so great that it gave Hong Qi a start.

At this time, many disciples had already gathered in the plaza outside Old Master Ling's seclusion chamber.

In addition to low-tier disciples like Ling Xiao, there were also top disciples from the Elite Hall and the Genius Hall.

Disciples of the Genius Hall were usually out performing missions at this time, so only two or three had arrived, having happened to be there.

The majority were disciples from the Elite Hall and the low-tier disciples.

Even the top ten experts of the Elite Hall had arrived.

This was a rare sight indeed.

"Tsk tsk, it's lively today. Those two are monsters from the Genius Hall. Although their rankings are around one hundred, they are both Martial Vein level four disciples who have comprehended Astral Qi."

"We can't compare to those monsters, but we can certainly catch up to the Elite Hall disciples. Look, Ling Yixue, currently ranked second, has just defeated the third-ranked Ling Feng and ascended to the third position of the Elite Hall!"

"The one who was defeated was Ling Cheng, right? He's here too, currently ranked sixth, it seems!"

Although the disciples present envied the monsters of the Genius Hall, those monsters were difficult to catch.

Therefore, what they discussed most were the top ten disciples of the Elite Hall.

At least there was some hope of catching up to them.

There were over a thousand disciples in the Elite Hall, all with a cultivation of at least the third level of the Martial Vein.

The low-tier disciples were even more numerous, all below the second level of the Martial Vein.

When Ling Xiao had first arrived, he was essentially at the very bottom of the low-tier disciples.

So, it was perfectly normal for people to mock him and look down on him back then.

Of course, currently, very few people were paying attention to him; after all, no one even knew that he had broken through to the third level of the Martial Vein.

For someone with a second-level Martial Vein cultivation, there was really no need to care too much.

If one couldn't make it into the top ten of the Elite Hall, it was quite difficult to gain followers.

Among the top ten disciples of the Elite Hall, Ling Yixue was the only female disciple.

Combined with her natural beauty and terrifying strength, she naturally received a great deal of attention.

"Ling Yihang is here!"

"Ling Yihang! The current Chief Disciple of the Elite Hall? The one even more powerful than Ling Yixue?"

"Yes, him! This man is incredible. He originally entered through the examinations and changed his surname to Ling. To think he has now become the Chief Disciple of the Elite Hall—he is truly a role model for our generation!"

Exclamations rang out.

Everyone's attention was drawn toward him.

Even the monsters from the Genius Hall turned to look.

Because the Chief Disciple of the Elite Hall was highly likely to be promoted to the Genius Hall and become a "little monster" themselves—a potential future rival.

Ling Xiao followed the crowd's gaze.

What met his eyes was a male disciple dressed simply.

Judging by his age, he should be two or three years older than Ling Xiao, and he wore a simple, honest smile on his face.

This was completely different from the arrogant expressions seen among the direct bloodline disciples of the Ling family.

"Good heavens, as expected of the Chief Disciple of the Elite Hall. He looks honest and simple on the outside, but there is a beast hidden within his body. Anyone who underestimates this guy will definitely suffer a heavy loss!"

Ling Xiao had heard of Ling Yihang long ago, but previously, he had no standing to even speak to him.

To avoid humiliation, he had always kept his distance from the Elite Hall disciples.

Today marked their formal introduction.

This was indeed a formidable rival.

At least in his view, this Ling Yihang was much harder to deal with than people like Ling Feng or Ling Fei.

Ling Yihang's appearance didn't just attract Ling Xiao's attention.

Including Ling Yixue, Ling Feng, Ling Yun, Ling Cheng, and Ling Tieshou—the top ten who sought to challenge the Chief Disciple—all showed intense fighting intent in their eyes.

The Chief Disciple of the Elite Hall.

This was not just a hollow title of glory.

It brought tangible benefits.

During training, one would receive many unexpected advantages.

Everyone wanted this position, but there were not many who truly had the qualification to challenge it.

Within the Elite Hall, the top ten disciples might have the strength to fight, but those truly capable of posing a threat to Ling Yihang were likely only the top five.

Of course, Ling Xiao was an exception; he had no intention of exposing too much of his strength for the time being.

"Look! Ling Tieshou, who just ascended to fourth place recently, is here!"