After returning to Qingxu Academy, Ling Xiao began using the materials bought from Tianlong Auction House to forge armour, weapons, and treasures.
If anyone saw his forging scene, they would be utterly dumbfounded.
Dozens of items floated simultaneously above the Hell Furnace, yet he controlled the heat perfectly. It was unimaginable.
Three days later, Ling Xiao completed all weapons and armour, handing them personally to Qin Huo.
This force of over three hundred became the future world-shaking “Iron Mask Army”.
They all wore special metal masks, not only ferocious in appearance but with strong defence.
They resisted physical and soul impacts.
No mere decoration.
After giving the items to Qin Huo, Ling Xiao contacted Ji Ning, having the team enrolled in Beimo City’s army roster.
But he did not tell Feng Yinshan.
He did not fully trust Feng Yinshan yet.
Caution was always wise.
One day after Qin Huo and the others left, the Emperor issued orders. Shenhuang Academy and Qingxu Academy each sent disciples who had never joined border trials to Beimo City.
Interestingly, Ling Xiao saw this as a chance to temper himself.
Many Shenhuang noble disciples dreaded it, fearing death. Without the Emperor’s threat, perhaps fewer than five from Shenhuang would go.
Of course, not all Shenhuang students were cowards. Ling Xiao admitted that.
Even among nobles, some sought battlefield merit for titles and ranks.
At Qingxu, new disciples were only Ling Xiao, Ji Mingkong, and a few others. So heading to Beimo were them, plus Feng Yanran.
Feng Yanran had never seen battle. She wanted to hone herself there, or fall further behind Ling Xiao.
On the square where Ling Xiao once slew Blood Skull, the troops for Beimo gathered.
A pledge rally would begin, as tradition.
One squad stood out.
They wore civilian clothes, not military garb, lacking soldierly bearing. Clearly Shenhuang and Qingxu students.
Ling Xiao was among them, flanked by Leng Mei, Ji Mingkong, Lan Yuer, Dai Yuling, Dai Yaoling, Long Chen, Ying Wuya, Zhao Zhi, Zhao Ci, and Feng Yanran. Eleven in total.
Leng Mei’s recovery came sooner than expected, but she was frail. Despite half-step Yin-Yang realm cultivation, she could only exert Ten Directions Heaven strength now.
Greater force burdened her body more, risking life.
This Ten Directions limit was forced by Ling Xiao.
They went to the border trials together.
The future was uncertain, possibly deadly.
But hiding in the academy yielded nothing. This drove them to the trials.
Perhaps because most around Ling Xiao were beautiful young women, countless jealous eyes turned to him, full of envy.
Leng Mei, cold and handsome.
Ji Mingkong, noble and aloof.
Lan Yuer, generous and proper.
Dai Yuling, gentle and caring.
Dai Yaoling, lively and cute.
Zhao Ci, dignified and graceful.
Feng Yanran, elegantly refined.
Each girl was unique, like plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, or bamboo.
Appearances and figures differed, but one word summed them: beautiful.
No wonder the jealousy raged.
Yet Ling Xiao seemed unaware, standing lost in thought, not flirting.
He wanted them not just friends, but helpful allies.
The border trials were their best chance to grow. Unless death loomed, he would not aid them.
Only in cruel tempering could they advance rapidly and mature.
Their talents were fine, all geniuses. Effort was key.
“Heh heh, you must be Ling Xiao. Quite the ladies’ man.”
Any one of these women could attract suitors, let alone several. Finally, a Shenhuang student could not hold back. He smirked evilly at Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao glanced. A stranger. He ignored him.
With so many beauties, attention was inevitable. Responding to every word would exhaust him.
“Ling Xiao, ignoring me is fine. On the battlefield, I doubt you can protect them all. Heh heh. You killed Blood Skull, skilled and lucky, but your kitten tricks are useless there.”
Ling Xiao ignored him, so the man pressed further.
“Useless or not, a waste like you doesn’t decide. Try it. Touch a hair on them, and you’ll regret it.”
Facing escalation, Ling Xiao spoke, or others might think him weak.
But as he finished, the man released icy killing intent, grabbing at the weakest, Zhao Ci.
Zhao Ci had broken to Celestial realm, but only First Line Heaven late stage.
Weakest of the ten, yet stronger than average soldiers. Shenhuang Continent soldiers were generally Mortal realm, far above Tianlong’s Pulse realm.
But still soldiers. Academy warriors outclassed them.
Zhao Ci qualified for battle, with higher survival odds than soldiers.
Here, no soldiers, only warriors. So the Shenhuang man targeted Zhao Ci first.
“Remember this young master’s name: Wan Qiufeng!”
He announced while striking, as if fearing Ling Xiao forgot.
He feared Ling Xiao not at all, aiming to humiliate him publicly.
Boom!
Zhao Ci dodged hastily but was struck by Wan Qiufeng’s palm, spitting blood, collapsing, unable to rise.
Ling Xiao did not intervene.
He could save her, but chose not.
His plan: for full growth, they could not hide under his wing. They must endure.
He knew Wan Qiufeng’s palm would not kill Zhao Ci. That sufficed.
As long as she lived, he could heal her.
She had to bear this pain.
