Covering the true qi of his first martial vein into gang qi gave Ling Xiao valuable experience.
Therefore, for his second martial vein, the process was a lot smoother.
After six more hours, not only had he successfully condensed his second martial vein, but he had also completely stabilized his first martial vein’s gang qi.
On the third martial vein, he encountered a small problem.
After converting the truq qi in his third martial vein, he would breakthrough to Rank Four Martial Vein.
Thus, the difficulty of this step increased a lot.
“This Howling Moon Wolf is useless. It shouldn’t be a problem to exchange it for a few gang qi pills. At that time, it’ll definitely be easier to make a breakthrough.”
Ling Xiao was a person who didn’t like to fixate on problems. When all was said and done, the annual competition was approaching. By increasing his strength, he would have a better chance of obtaining a higher rank.
At this point, he wouldn’t experience many gains from diligent cultivation. He needed gang qi pills.
Gang qi pills, however, were a lot more expensive than breakthrough and qi-gathering pills. Generally, gang qi pills were used by martial artists who had already condensed gang qi.
Moreover, the refining materials for it only came from demonic beasts above rank four that had once possessed gang qi.
Fortunately, he had one with him.
Thinking this, he got up and left the training room.
However, as he prepared to leave, he suddenly thought of a problem.
He had just succeeded in forming gang qi. However, this was his best card to obtain a higher rank in the annual competition.
He had to conceal his gang qi.
Just as he was worrying, his Landscape Martial Soul responded.
It displayed a list detailing templates that could be displayed to others.
It went from Rank One to Rank Nine Martial Vein.
Ling Xiao was very happy. Like this, he wouldn’t need to worry about other people seeing through his true strength.
He had never thought that the Landscape Martial Soul would have such an imitation function.
After thinking for a bit, he chose the Rank Three Martial Vein without gang qi template.
Now, he was a Peak Rank Three Martial Vein martial artist with gang qi in his first two martial veins.
However, the strength he emitted was much lower. In this way, he could deceive many people, and at the critical moment, reveal an extraordinary power.
One should know that it was very difficult for martial artists to conceal their strength.
Although there were many concealing martial arts, they were difficult to cultivate and usually had limited effects.
But the martial artist template of the Landscape Martial Soul didn’t have such drawbacks.
He didn’t need to cultivate, only needing to choose a template to deceive others about his strength.
Moreover, as the level of his Landscape Painting continued to increase, the concealment effect would also improve.
Generally speaking, the template couldn’t conceal Ling Xiao’s strength from those who were four or more realms higher than him.
For instance, as a Peak Rank Three Martial Vein, martial artists below Peak Rank Seven Martial Vein couldn’t see through his true strength.
This would be more than enough.
After adjusting the template, Ling Xiao visited the Medicine Hall.
Sure enough, the Medicine Hall’s Teacher Uncle really didn’t realize that he had already condensed gang qi.
One should know that this Teacher Uncle was at worst a Rank Six Martial Vein.
Since he couldn’t see through him, no disciple of the Elite Hall would be able to.
“Gang qi pills are not in stock. It’ll take several days to refine them.”
“No problem, Teacher Uncle! How many gang qi pills can this Howling Moon Wolf be exchanged for?”
“Probably three or four at most. You must know that one gang qi pill costs 10,000 taels of silver.”
“Okay, then I must trouble Teacher Uncle. I will come back in a few days.”
Ling Xiao knew it was useless to be impatient. He could only participate in the annual competition first. Relying on only his current strength, it shouldn’t be a problem to charge into the top five.
After leaving the Medicine Hall, he returned to consolidate his cultivation.
Only after receiving the registration notice did he emerge from his training room.
“I never even dreamt of this, Child. At that time, this grandpa was worried whether you would even qualify to participate in this annual competition. After all, you needed a cultivation of at least Rank Two Martial Vein. Unexpectedly, you’ve already reached Rank Three Martial Vein.”
Hong Qi looked at Ling Xiao with excitement.
He had watched this child grow. Now, that he had tapped into his potential, this grandfather was naturally pleased.
“Rest assured, Grandpa. This time, I will definitely obtain a high ranking.”
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. After all, there are too many disciples with a cultivation of Rank Three Martial Vein. As long as you can successfully enter the Elite Hall, it’ll be enough; there will be greater hope in the future.”
Hong Qi was unwilling to put too much pressure on him.
“Grandpa, this time, if I can’t enter the first three… Well, I won’t believe it.”
Ling Xiao stuck out his tongue and fled with a smirk.
His true thought was that while he didn’t dare to confidently claim he could defeat Ling Yixue and Ling Yihang, he truly didn’t fear the others.
With gang qi, if he couldn’t defeat Ling Feng and the other disciples at Peak Rank Three Martial Vein, that would be a true shame.
There were many disciples who came to register for the annual competition. According to his rough estimates, there should at least be several thousand. All were martial artists with cultivations of at least Rank Two Martial Vein.
When Ling Xiao arrived at the registration office, he found a huge crowd of people. Many people were spiritedly gossiping, and their faces were filled with excitement.
The annual competition was arguably the best opportunity for disciples to become carps leaping over the dragon gate.
If they could obtain a high ranking, it would be equivalent to becoming clan disciples.
“Heh heh! Because the Ling Clan recruited external people last year, the number of participants this year is far higher than in the past!”
“The participants number more, but the rewards are also far more generous.”
“Have the rewards already been announced? How come I didn’t know?”
“Fool! I, senior apprentice brother Ming, am a disciple of the Genius Hall. This time I was specially invited as a member of a review committee. Naturally, I know the rewards.”
Senior apprentice brother Ming?
Genius Hall disciple?
Ling Xiao snuck closer. He too was curious about this year’s rewards.
After all, this concerned his future.
Generally, the disciples of Genius Hall were below 20, but their cultivations had all surpassed the Peak Rank Three Martial Realm. They were martial artists who had already condensed gang qi.
Clearly, this senior apprentice brother Ming was a similar genius.
As for the disciples of the Elite Hall, they too were below 20 years of age with cultivations that had reached at least Rank Three Martial Vein.
Generally speaking, even the worst disciples of the Genius Hall were stronger than the best disciples of the Elite Hall.
However, one or two little monsters sometimes emerged from the Elite Hall such as Ling Yihang.
“Senior apprentice brother Ming, what’s the reward? Enlighten us!”
That senior apprentice brother Meng laughed. “This time, all who can get into the top 100 will obtain 100 qi-gathering pills!”
“Those who get into the top 50 can enter the third floor of the Library Pavilion and choose an advanced martial art! In addition, they will also obtain a breakthrough pill, a heart-protecting pill, and a vein-protecting pill!”
“For the top twenty, your reward will be doubled!”
Having heard up to here, many people were already unable to control their excitement. After all, past the top twenty was too far for most of them.
“That’s too extravagant! You can get 100 qi-gathering pills just by entering the top 100!”
“If we can enter the top 20, it’s even better. Two advanced martial arts and two sets of pills for breakthroughs! Ah!”
“Yes, these are treasures that many disciples of the Elite Hall yearn for and of which unqualified disciples only dream about.”
