Chapter 6: The Genius Ling Feng

Although he had anticipated that perfecting the "Bull Strength" would allow him to break through, that was, after all, just an expectation.

Now that Ling Xiao had personally experienced the destructive power brought about by this ferocious strength, he was filled with excitement.

Truly, heaven never closes all doors. He had originally thought it would take a month to reach the second level of the Martial Pulse.

He never expected that just three days after obtaining the Mountain and River Martial Soul, he would have already broken through.

At this rate, his future was truly limitless.

The Mountain and River Map had changed once again; the clouds had dispersed a little more, revealing a household.

However, this household was not human, but rather one of the ancient myriad races: the Bull Demon tribe.

They all had bull heads and human bodies, possessed incredibly sturdy physiques, and wielded terrifying power.

What was the meaning of this?

Ling Xiao was a bit confused, but he absolutely did not believe this was a coincidence. He had just practiced Bull Strength to perfection, and now a Bull Demon household had appeared in the village. He absolutely refused to believe there was no connection.

But there was no use dwelling on such things. For now, he had to consider how to face the Ling family’s annual grand competition.

This competition was the only chance for outer sect disciples to get ahead!

Things that were usually unattainable could potentially be obtained through such a grand competition.

Of course, one had to place in the rankings.

As his strength improved rapidly, his ambitions grew as well.

In the past, Ling Xiao would never have dared to dream of becoming a martial artist above the third level of the Martial Pulse, because he felt it was too distant and impractical.

Of the nine levels of the Martial Pulse, the first to the third levels were the awakening stage, also known in the secular world as "Martial Students," the lowest tier of martial artists.

The best Martial Students could possess the strength of a thousand catties, tear apart tigers and leopards with their bare hands, and punch wolves and bears; they were already considered "big shots" in the eyes of ordinary people.

However, after the fourth level of the Martial Pulse, a completely different change would occur.

Levels four to six belonged to the "Gang Qi" stage, and one would receive the official title of "Martial Disciple." The greatest characteristic of this stage was that true energy would transform into Gang Qi, capable of injuring people from a distance.

Possessing Gang Qi allowed one to do so much more, and this was the goal pursued by countless martial artists.

Many people could not reach it in their entire lives.

Yet now, Ling Xiao felt strongly that he might have a chance to become a Martial Disciple!

This dream was no longer ethereal; it had become very real, something he could reach out and grasp.

……

During dinner, Ling Xiao excitedly told his grandfather the news of his breakthrough to the second level of the Martial Pulse.

The old man, in utter shock, only believed it after watching Ling Xiao demonstrate his skills, his eyes streaming with tears of joy.

"Good child, seeing you make such progress, I can die content."

"Grandfather, after I participate in the annual grand competition, I will hire the best doctor to treat your injuries."

It was pathetic to think about it; he knew his grandfather had broken ribs, yet he had no money for treatment, leaving the old man in so much pain he couldn't sleep at night.

But the only thing Ling Xiao could do was strive desperately to improve. The prizes at the annual grand competition were very generous and could be chosen freely.

Just a little longer, it was almost here.

"I'm fine, Grandfather. Don't push yourself too hard. Although you've broken through to the second level, there are too many martial artists with this level of strength. If you push too hard, you'll get hurt."

The old man's thoughts were simple; he didn't want Ling Xiao to get hurt for his sake.

But Ling Xiao's thoughts were equally simple. To heal his grandfather's injuries and to get ahead, he absolutely had to secure a good ranking in this annual grand competition.

There was still time. Next, he would go to the Library Pavilion to choose a higher-level martial arts technique suitable for himself.

With a better martial arts technique, he believed his progress would be even faster.

The Library Pavilion, as the name suggested, was a place for storing books. Aside from some of the Ling family's historical records, most of it consisted of martial arts classics.

After eating, Ling Xiao couldn't wait to run to the Library Pavilion. Although many people pointed at him along the way, he didn't care.

Improving his strength was better than anything else.

"Little beggar!"

Suddenly, a crisp voice rang out. A man and a woman were just coming out of the Library Pavilion entrance.

The woman was lively and cute, with a sharp and flirtatious appearance.

The man was heroic and dashing, with a handsome appearance and impressive strength.

The one who called Ling Xiao a little beggar was that woman—the same arrogant young lady who used to bully him and his grandfather.

Later, because he became a disciple of the Ling family, this woman had been very attentive to him, but when he failed to break through to the second level of the Martial Pulse for a long time, she turned to hurling insults at him and threw herself into the arms of the young man beside her.

Ling Xiao truly had no good feelings for this girl.

So what if she was cute? If her heart was more venomous than a scorpion's, then she was just a gilded ornament with a rotten core!

"So you're the little beggar Sister Yu mentioned? You actually broke through to the second level of the Martial Pulse, not bad. But among the outer sect disciples, you're considered quite poor. You still need to work hard."

Without waiting for Ling Xiao to respond to Ling Yu, the young man looked down at Ling Xiao, speaking from a high position as if he were a senior.

"Ling Feng, a direct descendant of the Ling family, third-level Martial Pulse peak cultivation, a disciple of the Ling family's Elite Hall!"

Ling Xiao looked at Ling Feng. In the past, all he felt in front of this person was inferiority and helplessness.

But now, he didn't care. It was only the third level of the Martial Pulse; he would break through soon enough.

"Ling Yu, you've certainly chosen a good man. But Ling Feng, this woman was able to discard me like a worn-out shoe back then; sooner or later, she will do the same to you."

Ling Xiao said calmly.

Being the same age of thirteen, he didn't feel that Ling Feng was superior to him.

"Hmph, I don't think Sister Yu did anything wrong. Women like the strong; it has been this way since ancient times."

Ling Feng snorted coldly.

Ling Xiao chuckled: "Are you so sure that you will never be caught up to or surpassed by me?"

"I am!"

Ling Feng said arrogantly.

"Alright, since that's the case, I won't say anything more. You two go ahead; I still have to go to the Library Pavilion."

"Wait!"

Ling Yu looked at Ling Xiao with a grin and said: "Little beggar, a person's fate is destined by heaven. You were born a beggar, and you will only be a beggar for the rest of your life."

"But I am already a disciple of the Ling family now!"

"It's useless. Sooner or later, you'll still only be a beggar. If you don't place in the rankings in this annual grand competition, you won't be able to enter the Elite Hall. If you can't enter the Elite Hall, you must become a third-level Martial Pulse artist before you turn fourteen. Can you do that? If you can't, you'll have to go back to being a beggar."

Ling Yu said triumphantly.

"Of course, there is another way, and that is to obediently become a servant of the Ling family. For example, hang out with my Brother Feng; he can protect you from being bullied by that Ling Chong."

A look of disdainful sneer appeared on Ling Xiao's face. Even when he didn't have the Mountain and River Martial Soul, he had never thought about being anyone's lackey.

Not to mention that now, he was no longer the person he used to be. Ling Chong, Ling Feng—sooner or later, they would all be people he would trample under his feet. Asking him to be a lackey?

How laughable!

"Did no one tell you that Ling Chong has already been beaten into a hospital bed by me?"

Ling Xiao said calmly.

"Hmph, you're trash, and Ling Chong is also trash! What's there to talk about regarding a duel between trash?"

Suddenly, Ling Feng's voice rang out again.

"Trash? The last person who called me trash broke two ribs. I wonder what will happen to you?"

Ling Xiao looked at Ling Feng, showing no intention of backing down.

"Hahahaha, good! I'll give you credit for having guts, you trash. Don't worry, I won't lay a hand on you today. Anyway, there's less than half a month left until the annual grand competition. By then, I will make you realize that trash is trash, and dirt will always be dirt! A servant can never climb above his master!"

Ling Feng seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world and laughed wildly.

"Then let's settle it when the time comes."

(End of chapter)