“Can I say it’s not enough?” Zi Ling shrugged, responding.
These pills would last not just one or two months, but one or two years, or even longer.
Moreover, whether she could refine those Sixth Rank formulas, how long it would take to become a Sixth Rank Spirit Controller, or how long until she could produce them, was still unknown.
And as for the materials, it was unclear how long it would take to gather them all.
For now, she could only hand the material lists from the formulas to the family to search for. Whatever materials they found, she would refine into pills.
After Lin Xiao wrote out the formulas, Zi Ling excitedly took them and hurriedly left.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao was arranged by the other Zi family elders into another private guest courtyard room.
With just over a month until the Southeast Region Youth Summit, even after breaking through one level, Lin Xiao had no time to pursue other matters.
During this period, Ling Hu and the other selected youths were in seclusion, making their final push.
Likely, the youths from other Martial Emperor forces attending the summit were doing the same.
Lin Xiao was no exception.
However, in the short term, neither his vital energy nor spiritual power could break through again.
In this month, the fastest way to boost his combat strength was likely through cultivating martial techniques.
For martial techniques, Lin Xiao had three options.
The second move of the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Technique, Thunder Dragon Heaven-Extinguishing Light, the Immortal Skeleton Technique, or the Nether Heaven Demon Art.
At this moment, Lin Xiao pondered quietly: “The second move of the Nine Heavens Thunder Dragon Technique, Thunder Dragon Heaven-Extinguishing Light, though it uses a compression-based cultivation method like the first, is too difficult. A month might not be enough to master it.”
“The Immortal Skeleton Technique, once the lower volume is cultivated, will eventually lead to self-detonating the body. If I abandon it halfway, my bones will shatter. I’ve already cultivated four bone patterns, so not continuing would be tantamount to giving up halfway, courting destruction.”
“Yet, if I don’t cultivate it urgently and reach the point of body detonation without grasping its mysteries, unable to reconstruct my body, that’s also courting destruction.”
Thinking of the Immortal Skeleton Technique, Lin Xiao felt a sense of urgency.
Other techniques didn’t carry the risk of self-destruction if abandoned or not fully mastered, but the Immortal Skeleton Technique was an anomaly, forcing him to continue.
“But in just a month, the Immortal Skeleton Technique likely won’t see much progress…”
Lin Xiao shook his head. The Immortal Skeleton Technique was mandatory, but not urgent within this month.
For this month, he needed a technique that could quickly boost his combat strength, giving him more trump cards at the Southeast Region Youth Summit.
After all, the Southeast Region was teeming with geniuses.
Now, Lin Xiao felt the downside of cultivating too many techniques.
Having many techniques provided versatility, but it also scattered his focus.
“The Nether Heaven Demon Art can activate the Nether Heaven Demon Pillar. If I make progress, it could greatly enhance my combat strength.”
“Since mastering it, I’ve stayed at the second level. In a month, even if I can’t reach the third level, I should make some progress, boosting my combat strength significantly.”
After weighing his options, Lin Xiao decided: “That’s the one.”
Having chosen the technique, Lin Xiao sat cross-legged and began cultivating.
Within his dantian, dark, demonic energy surged, black mist coiling endlessly around his body.
For the following period, Lin Xiao immersed himself in cultivating the Nether Heaven Demon Art.
During this time, significant changes occurred in the Ling family’s territory, where Ling Xiao had returned.
In just a month, the Ling family gained control over twenty to thirty cities, with numerous forces pledging allegiance.
This gave them the qualifications to participate in the “wager” at the Southeast Region Youth Summit.
In that month, Lin Xiao’s cultivation of the Nether Heaven Demon Art progressed immensely, advancing one level to reach the third level.
The day he emerged from seclusion, upon hearing the news, Zi Ling visited again, gifting him two Yang-Returning Clarity Pills.
The next day, Lin Xiao was summoned to the Zi family’s martial arena.
It was clear the journey to the Southeast Region Youth Summit was about to begin.
At dawn, as golden light bathed the earth, Lin Xiao slowly entered the Zi family’s martial arena.
The arena was already filled with countless figures.
“No surprise from the summit-selected geniuses. With Martial Emperor Essence Blood, their strength has skyrocketed in just a month, nearly matching our Zi family’s direct-line geniuses.”
“Indeed, Lu Qingyu and Pan Zihao both broke through to the First Level Martial Monarch realm, making the greatest progress. Liu Yiran, though not yet at Martial Monarch, is likely close. After refining the Martial Emperor Essence Blood, his strength must be even greater.”
“Our direct-line Zi Hui isn’t bad either, breaking through to the Ninth Level Martial Venerable. With his combat strength, few at Ninth Level Martial Venerable can match him, and he could even fight a First Level Martial Monarch.”
“After losing to Jin Wucheng, Zi Huan trained even harder, secluding himself for three months. His progress must be significant. And Brother Zi Long, in seclusion for nearly half a year, even if he hasn’t broken through, his strength must be far more terrifying than before.”
“No doubt about it, Zi Long is our Zi family’s ace, the most talented direct-line descendant. At this summit, he should aim for the top fifteen.”
“Top fifteen might not be easy, but with Zi Long leading, Zi Hui at Martial Monarch level, Zi Ling as a high-grade Fifth Rank Spirit Controller—who even a First Level Martial Monarch would struggle against—Brother Zi Yi, though not at Martial Monarch, has formidable combat strength, and the unpredictable Lin Xiao, our Zi family should perform well this time.”
“Has Lin Xiao broken through again in this period?”
“He broke through a level just two months ago, so another breakthrough might be tough, right?”
“Not necessarily. He received Martial Emperor Essence Blood too, so another level isn’t impossible.”
“I heard Ling Hu also broke through a level. Lin Xiao likely did too. But among them, the weakest is probably Ling Hu. Seventh Level Martial Venerable is impressive here, but for the Southeast Region Youth Summit, it’s clearly not enough.”
“He’s a Martial Emperor’s son. As a Martial Emperor force, the Ling family needs at least one youth, especially a direct heir. Giving him a spot makes sense.”
“Ling Hu’s probably just there to gain experience.”
“Not entirely. Ling Hu isn’t even twenty yet, and reaching this level is remarkable. If he were twenty-four or twenty-five, he might outshine them all.”
“Sadly, he can’t participate in the next summit.”
“Speaking of the next summit, Lin Xiao’s the real pity. Give him five more years, and he might rival Brother Zi Long.”
…
As Lin Xiao entered the martial arena, a cacophony of discussions reached his ears.
Ignoring their words, he scanned the area, spotting Ling Hu, Lu Qingyu, Pan Zihao, Liu Yiran, Zi Hui, and Zi Ling already standing in the centre of the arena.
Nearby were some Zi family elders. Taking a step forward, Lin Xiao walked towards them.
