“I don’t know.”
Ling Xiao shook his head.
“Young Master Ling Xiao is so clever—how could you not know? Today, at the Tianfeng Grand Assembly, you shone brightly, defeating Li Xinghui and earning the title of First Young Master. My father originally intended to betroth me to Li Xinghui, but now he’s changed his mind and wants to offer me to you. Are you not pleased?” Shi Yulian said with a light laugh.
“To be favored by Miss Yulian is naturally an honor for Ling Xiao. However, my ambition lies in the martial path, and I’m only fourteen. Talk of marriage at this stage is far too early,” Ling Xiao replied, politely declining.
“Hmph, ungrateful fool.”
Suddenly, a rough voice rang out.
Shi Long entered the hall alongside a young martial artist.
Ling Xiao recognized the young man—he was one of those who had mingled with the smaller families.
“You can leave. Even if you agreed today, I wouldn’t consent,” Shi Long said, sneering at Ling Xiao. “This is Young Master Feiyu. I’ve already decided to betroth Yulian to him. What are you compared to that? Why would my Shi family ever choose you?”
To Shi Long, his daughter was merely a tool to be used.
Having witnessed Feiyu’s strength, he’d rushed over immediately.
Before arriving, he’d made up his mind: if Ling Xiao agreed, he’d find an excuse to drive him away. If Ling Xiao refused, all the better.
Compared to Feiyu, a seventh-stage Martial Master, Ling Xiao was nothing.
“Ling Xiao takes his leave!”
Ling Xiao found it amusing. Was Shi Long out of his mind? He was the one who’d invited him here, yet now he spoke like this.
Still, it worked out fine. He had no intention of climbing the social ladder through the Shi family’s daughter.
He stood and left swiftly, without the slightest hint of reluctance.
Others might covet the position of Tianfeng City Lord’s son-in-law, but he had zero interest.
Beneath Baiyun Province, there were dozens of towns like Tianfeng City. His sights were set higher and farther—far beyond what this little place could contain.
Watching Ling Xiao depart without a trace of attachment, Shi Yulian felt a tremor in her heart.
She didn’t know why, but she sensed something unique about him.
Though his current strength wasn’t exceptional, his terrifying potential, calm demeanor, and sharp intellect set him apart from his peers.
Even seasoned veterans, aside from their higher realms, likely couldn’t gain the upper hand over this young man in any other aspect.
Was this really just a fourteen-year-old martial artist?
Unbeknownst to Ling Xiao, ever since acquiring the Mountain River Martial Soul, its subtle influence had transformed him into something far beyond an ordinary youth.
“Father, isn’t it unwise to offend him like this?” Shi Yulian asked, her voice tinged with worry.
“No need to fret. Yulian, you probably don’t know where Young Master Feiyu comes from, do you?” Shi Long said excitedly. “He’s a disciple of Baiyun Prefecture’s Tiannin Academy. Now you understand why I want to betroth you to him!”
“Tiannin Academy!”
Shi Yulian’s body jolted at the name.
She’d long dreamed of studying at Tiannin Academy. Though a genius in Tianfeng City, she was a nobody beyond its borders.
She’d never had a chance to enter the academy.
But marrying Feiyu could multiply her odds of getting in.
“Yulian, Young Master Feiyu has already promised me. Today, he’ll take you from Tianfeng City to Tiannin Academy. Once you’re there, Li Xinghui, Ling Xiao—none of them will matter. You’ll surpass them all,” Shi Long said, his face glowing with pride.
“Yulian understands.”
Shi Yulian quickly forgot about Ling Xiao. In her eyes, only Feiyu remained.
Moments later, Li Clan Leader Li Yunsheng arrived at the Shi estate.
With him were Feimu, Feiliu, and Feiyun.
“Feiyun, how did things go on your end?” Feiyu asked.
As the strongest of the four, he was naturally their leader.
“They refused!” Feiyun shook his head.
“The Ling family dares to reject us? Why didn’t you just wipe them out? I already took care of the Wang family,” Feimu said, displeased.
“You don’t get it. The Ling family is far stronger than the Wang family. I couldn’t handle them alone, so I came back to discuss with you all.”
“Discuss what? The Ling family dares defy His Majesty the Ninja Emperor—they’re begging for death! The four of us should go wipe them out,” Feimu snapped, clearly impatient.
“No need for that. Shi Long, Li Yunsheng, since you’ve chosen to serve the Ninja Clan, here’s your chance to prove it. I’ll have Feimu and Feiyun assist you in exterminating the Ling family, along with a hundred Ninja Guards,” Feiyu said, stroking his chin.
“Shi Long accepts the order!”
“Li Yunsheng accepts the order!”
They’d long wanted to eliminate the Wang and Ling families. With the Wang family already gone, only the Ling family remained. With their two clans united, plus Feimu, Feiyun, and a hundred Ninja Guards—all above the fifth stage of the Martial Vein—crushing the Ling family would be a breeze.
That’s why they agreed so readily.
“Feimu, Feiyun, listen up. You can kill anyone in the Ling family as you please, but try to spare Ling Xiao if possible. It’d be a shame if he died,” Feiyu added.
“Got it.”
…
At the Ling family.
Ling Xiaotian gazed at the gathered disciples with a face full of worry.
The moment he drove off Feiyun, he knew trouble—big trouble—had found the Ling family.
Ling Xiao had returned as well, standing silently among the crowd, listening as Ling Xiaotian explained the situation.
As a former beggar, he’d had no attachment to the Human Sacred Dynasty.
But he was still human.
The thought of human territory being carved up by other races left a sour taste in his mouth.
He could choose not to fight for the Sacred Dynasty, but he had to fight for himself—for human lands.
Moreover, he was now a Ling family disciple.
No matter how Ling Shisan and Ling Jiu schemed to frame or kill him.
No matter how the three Supreme Elders looked down on him.
The Ling family still had Second Master Ling, Ling Yihang, Ling Yixue, Ling Luo, and his grandfather, Hong Qi.
He couldn’t betray the Ling family at a time like this.
Besides, Ling Xiaotian’s refusal to bow to the Ninja Clan’s threats and become their puppet was reason enough for him to stay and fight alongside the old man.
Death was terrifying.
But betraying others in the face of danger was utterly disgraceful.
“Everyone, the human race stands at the brink of annihilation. I, Ling Xiaotian, don’t expect you to die with me. If anyone wishes to leave, do so now. As for me, I’m resolved to live or die with the Ling family.”
No sooner had Ling Xiaotian finished speaking than his brows furrowed.
In the distance, a thunderous clamor approached.
A dark mass of people charged toward the Ling family.
Leading them was a figure cloaked in black, clad in black armor. Leaping from horseback, he landed atop the Ling family’s wall.
“Hahaha, Ling Xiaotian, you stubborn fool. Do you intend to drag all these Ling disciples to their graves with you?”
“Shi Long!”
Ling Xiaotian stared at the man, his face darkening.
“Brother Shi speaks wisely. A wise man submits to circumstance. Why must your puny Ling family oppose the Ninja Clan? Surrender,” another voice chimed in.
A shadowy figure landed beside Shi Long, his robes fluttering without wind.
“Li Yunsheng!”
