Although Ling Xiao had already expected to breakthrough after perfecting Great Barbarian Bull, it had only been an expectation.
Now that he had personally tested his vigorous power, he was extremely excited.
Heaven truly never sealed off all exits! In the past, he had anticipated spending a month to reach Rank Two Martial Vein.
However, beyond his expectations, just three days after awakening his Landscape Martial Soul, he had reached a breakthrough.
Looking at this momentum, his future was truly limitless.
The Landscape Painting changed again; a bit of the cloudmist layer had dispersed, revealing a small household.
This household was not composed of humankind but rather one of the immemorial myriad races, the Bull Demon Race.
With bull heads and human-like bodies, they were incomparably robust and possessed terrifying strength.
What was the meaning of this?
Ling Xiao felt a little confused. Nevertheless, he didn’t believe that this was coincidence. He had only just trained Barbarian Bull Strength to perfection before discovering that a household of the Bull Demon Race had appeared in the village. He would absolutely refuse to believe it if someone claimed that there was no connection.
However, this matter was useless to think more about. At present, he had to focus on the Ling Clan’s annual exam.
This competition was the sole opportunity for outer disciples to stand out among their fellows!
Resources you couldn’t buy with money could be earned via this exam by pure merit.
Naturally, one had to achieve an excellent ranking.
With increased strength, people’s ambition also grew.
The past Ling Xiao would never have dared to dream about becoming a martial artist above Rank Three Martial Vein because he had felt it too distant and unrealistic.
Among the nine ranks of Martial Veins, the first three ranks belonged to the awakening stage where a commoner turned into a “Martial Pupil,” the lowest grade of existence among martial artists.
First-rate martial pupils had the force of a thousand pounds. They could tear apart tigers, fight leopards, and smash bears. They were already true experts in the eyes of the common populace.
Nevertheless, after obtaining a Rank Four Martial Vein, there would be a completely different transformation.
Rank Four to Rank Six Martial Veins belonged to the gang qi stage, and their official titles were “Martial Disciples.” Their true qi could be converted into gang qi to strike people from a distance.
After possessing gang qi, one could accomplish many supernatural feats, a goal pursued by countless martial artists.
Many people would never achieve it.
However, Ling Xiao now believed he would have the chance to become a martial disciple!
This dream was no longer illusory but had become very real. It was within his reach.
………
While eating lunch, Ling Xiao excitedly told his grandfather about his breaking through to Rank Two Martial Vein.
The old man was incomparably shocked as tears flowed from his aged eyes.
“Good child! Since Grandpa was able to see your progress, even if Grandpa died now, Grandpa would be content.”
“Grandpa, after I participate in the annual exam, I will ask the best doctor to treat your injuries.”
Speaking about this, his vexation surged. Although he knew perfectly well the pain his grandpa suffered from his broken ribs, he had no money for a doctor’s treatment. He had to let his old grandfather endure sleepless nights due to the.
However, Ling Xiao’s only option was to desperately advance. The prizes of the annual exam were very rich and could be freely chosen.
He had to be patient. His time would soon come.
“Grandpa is fine. Don’t force yourself too much. Although you have broken through to Rank Two Martial Vein, there are too many martial artists at this level. If you stake it all, you might be seriously injured.”
The old man’s thinking was very simple. He didn’t want Ling Xiao to risk injury for him.
Ling Xiao’s thinking was similarly simple. To cure his grandfather’s injuries and stand out among his peers, he had to achieve a good ranking in the annual exam.
There was still some time, so he planned to visit the Library Pavilion and choose a suitable higher-grade merit law.
With a better merit law, his progress would be faster.
Library Pavilion, as the name implied, was a place where books were collected. Other than some historical records of the Ling Clan, most of the books there were records of martial arts.
After scarfing down his meal, Ling Xiao ran towards the Library Pavilion. Although many people pointed at him along the way, he didn’t care.
Improving his strength superseded everything else.
“Little beggar!”
Suddenly, a loud and clear voice pierced through the passerby’s whispers. A man and a woman had just emerged from the Library Pavilion.
Bold and coquettish, the woman was lively and cute.
The man was heroic, valiant and dignified in appearance. His strength was also outstanding.
That woman had called Ling Xiao a little beggar. In truth, she was that pampered young lady who had used to regularly bully him and his grandfather.
Later, because he had become a disciple of the Ling Clan, this woman had been very attentive to him, but after he had been unable to breakthrough to Rank Two Martial Vein, this woman had turned on him. Instead, she had thrown herself in the bosom of that young man beside her.
Ling Xiao truly didn’t have any favorable impression of this girl.
What was the use of being cute? If her heart was sinister and vicious, she was just rubbish covered in gold and jade.
“You are that little beggar often spoken of by younger sister Yu? You actually broke through to Rank Two Martial Vein, not bad! However, among the outer disciples, you are relatively poor and weak. You must continue to work hard.”
Not waiting for Ling Xiao’s reply, that young man aloofly inspected Ling Xiao’s form as if he were a senior.
“Ling Feng, a Ling Clan disciple with a cultivation of Peak Rank Three Martial Vein, a member of the Ling Clan’s Elite Hall!” Such thoughts rolled through Ling Xiao’s head.
Ling Xiao recognized Ling Feng. In the past, all Ling Xiao had felt was inferiority and helplessness facing this person.
But now, he didn’t care. This aloof disciple was only a Rank Three Martial Vein. He too would soon breakthrough to that level.
“Ling Yu, you chose a good man. However, I must warn you, Ling Feng: since this woman was able to throw me away like loose grass, sooner or later, it will happen to you!”
Ling Xiao indifferently replied.
Both of them were only children, thirteen years of age. He didn’t feel that Ling Feng was truly a notch above other people.
“Humph, I don’t think younger sister Yu is at fault. Women love strong men; it has been like that since ancient times.”
Ling Feng coldly snorted.
Ling Xiao’s lips twitched. “Are you certain that I will never be able to surpass you?”
“Yes!”
Ling Feng proudly answered.
“Fine, since that’s so, I won’t say more. Can you two move out of the way? I want to go to the Library Pavilion.”
“Wait a minute!”
Grinning, Ling Yu looked at Ling Xiao and said, “Little beggar, the fates of all people are destined. You were born a beggar, so you can only be a beggar this life.”
“But I’m already a disciple of the Ling Clan!”
“It’s useless. Sooner or later, you will return to your roots. If you don’t get a ranking in this annual exam, you will not be able to enter the Elite Hall. Without entering the Elite Hall, you have to become a Rank Three Martial Vein martial artist before reaching fourteen. Can you truly do that? It’s impossible! You can only accept your fate to go back and become a beggar.”
Ling Yu complacently taunted.
“Of course, another way is to obediently become a servant of the Ling Clan. For instance, if you get along with my Big Brother Feng, he can protect you and prevent that Ling Chong from bullying you.”
Ling Xiao smiled in disdain. Even before he had gained the Landscape Martial Soul, he had never thought of becoming a lackey.
What’s more, his past self couldn’t be compared with the present. What Ling Chong? What Ling Feng? Sooner or later, all would be trampled under his feet. Asking him to become their lackey?
What a joke!
“Has no one told you that I’ve already beaten Ling Chong?”
Ling Xiao indifferently replied.
“Humph, you are trash! Ling Chong is also trash! A battle between trash… what is there to say?”Ling Feng’s disinterested voice resounded again.
“Trash? The last person who said I was trash now has two broken ribs. I wonder what will happen to you?”
Ling Xiao looked at Ling Feng without any intention of yielding.
“Hahaha, good! You, this trash, has guts! Rest assured that I won’t touch you today. In any case, the annual exam is less than half a month away. At that time, I’ll let you understand that trash is trash. A**** will forever be a ****! A minion can never climb above his master’s head!”
Ling Feng heartily laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.
Ling Xiao balled his fists. “Then, let’s determine it at that time.”
