Deep in the dense forest, amidst mountains and rivers, lay a hidden valley.
After settling Lin Bei and Long Chen, Ling Xiao began his cultivation here.
He knew his current strength wasn’t enough to defeat the Black Dragon King or the Black Spirit Imperial Preceptor, so he had to become stronger!
For now, there were three paths to enhance his power:
First, advance his cultivation. After recent battles, his early Seventh Layer Mortal Realm cultivation had fully stabilized, and further progress wouldn’t harm him. It seemed time to consume the Fire Spirit Fruit and Water Spirit Fruit.
Second, refine the Poison Dragon Pearl into a magical treasure. This shouldn’t be too difficult, though he needed to tame it with his Primordial Golden Dragon, which would take some time.
Third, elevate the rank of his Mountain River Martial Soul. Though he possessed multiple martial souls, the Mountain River Martial Soul remained his core, never wavering. Other souls were useful in combat but couldn’t boost his overall strength.
The Mountain River Martial Soul was different—its rank increase would enhance all nine of its abilities, including his comprehensive power.
It was deeply tied to his very being.
He wasn’t sure if time was sufficient. Though this place was secluded, it was still within dragon territory, and the Black Dragon King, having ruled for years, would find it eventually.
Best to tackle one task at a time.
With that, Ling Xiao consumed the Fire Spirit Fruit and Water Spirit Fruit.
Others might need to eat them one at a time, but his body’s absorption capacity was exceptional, allowing him to digest them all at once.
Nearby, Long Chen and Lin Bei were also cultivating, though their focus was more on guarding Ling Xiao.
Both recognized that the Golden Dragon Clan’s bid to reclaim the throne, and even the dragon race’s revival, hinged on Ling Xiao’s aid.
If Ling Xiao thrived, so would they.
…
Meanwhile, in Dragon Palace City, within the Dragon Palace Hall, the Black Dragon King’s dark eyes glinted with killing intent. He slammed his dragon throne, roaring, “Search! Use the entire dragon race’s power. Even if you have to turn the dragon lands upside down, find this Ling Xiao for me!”
“Your Majesty, what do we do once we find him?”
“Notify me immediately. Don’t act rashly, lest you alert him!” The Black Dragon King remained rational.
Even the Poison Dragon King couldn’t defeat Ling Xiao, so likely none of his subordinates could either.
That’s why he ordered them to report to him first.
“As you command!”
The crowd dispersed, leaving only the Black Dragon King and the Black Spirit Imperial Preceptor in the hall.
“Is that plan proceeding smoothly?” the Black Dragon King asked.
“Rest assured, we’ve contacted an inner sect elder of the Moonflower Sect. He’s agreed to help. But to avoid complications, Ling Xiao must die, along with the other Moonflower Sect trial disciples—none can be spared!” The Black Spirit Imperial Preceptor’s eyes burned with intense killing intent.
…
Back in the same dense forest, in that hidden valley, surrounded by layered peaks, it was nearly impossible to detect human presence from outside.
“Ha!”
Ling Xiao’s eyes snapped open, two beams of golden light—condensed from true essence—shooting out, piercing a nearby tree.
This golden light was immensely powerful.
“Mid-Seventh Layer Mortal Realm. Advancing even a minor stage after the Seventh Layer is incredibly difficult!”
Ling Xiao took a deep breath. After an hour and consuming vast amounts of Fire and Water Spirit Fruits, he’d only advanced one minor stage.
However, the fruits brought additional benefits, boosting his resistance to fire and water.
Mortal Realm warriors attacking him with fire or water-based techniques would deal half damage.
Against Heavenly Human Realm warriors, the reduction was uncertain—perhaps one-tenth, as they were a major realm above, changing the dynamics entirely.
The Earth Spirit Body’s effect was similar to these fruits.
Thus, among the five elements, fire, water, and earth attacks now dealt significantly less damage to him.
This was just defensive.
Offensively, his fire, water, and earth attacks gained a power boost—roughly fifty percent, as long as he remained below the Heavenly Human Realm, effectively amplifying his attack strength again.
After breaking through a minor stage, Ling Xiao didn’t pause.
He took out the Gold Spirit Core given by Lin Bei and began absorbing its energy.
The Fire and Water Spirit Fruits had pushed him one minor stage; the Gold Spirit Core’s effect should be comparable.
Another hour passed, and the Gold Spirit Core vanished. His cultivation broke through again, reaching late Seventh Layer Mortal Realm.
Moreover, he formed a Gold Spirit Body, gaining metal resistance and attack amplification.
Gold, water, fire, earth.
He now had four of the five elemental resistances and attack boosts. Acquiring a wood-attribute treasure—like a Wood Spirit Fruit or Core—would complete the set.
Meanwhile, the dragon race’s carpet search was closing in on this valley.
Ling Xiao judged he still had time!
So, he moved to the second step: refining the Poison Dragon Pearl.
Poison was an extension of wood. If he could refine or tame it, he’d complete the five elemental resistances and boosts.
The Poison Dragon Pearl, containing the Poison Dragon King’s lifelong essence, could potentially raise his cultivation further or even enhance his Mountain River Martial Soul, addressing the third step simultaneously.
Excited, Ling Xiao forced himself to calm down.
Taking a deep breath, he called to Long Chen and Lin Bei, who were guarding, “Please, if enemies approach, hold them off for a while. Can you manage?”
“No problem, Young Hero Ling (Little Brother)!” they replied.
Ling Xiao nodded, closed his eyes, and sensed the Poison Dragon Pearl within his Mountain River World.
Suppressed by the Primordial Golden Dragon’s might, the pearl, once rampaging, now sat docilely, like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
“Perfect timing!”
Ling Xiao enveloped the pearl with his soul force and began refining it.
The pearl trembled violently, but the Golden Dragon’s dominance was overwhelming, keeping it still.
A steady stream of energy and dragon soul force flowed into Ling Xiao’s body and Mountain River Martial Soul.
The sensation was exhilarating, like sipping coconut juice through a straw.
