The shadowy figure dispersed again, performing various techniques once more, as if trying to distill the sword move most suited to Ling Xiao from this stone tablet.
A quarter of an hour later, the shadows merged once again.
Second Form—Meltwater!
Again!
Sweat beaded on Ling Xiao’s forehead. Even with his formidable soul strength, he felt the strain intensely.
It seemed Ling Xiaotian’s one-hour limit wasn’t an empty warning.
The figure on the tablet scattered once more, its moves growing ever more ethereal and profound.
The deeper one delved into this essence, the harder it became.
Ling Xiao clenched his teeth, banishing stray thoughts and ignoring his body’s pain and exhaustion, pouring all his focus into comprehending the essence.
Third Form—Frozen Ice!
Another distinct sword technique emerged. Though drawn from the same tablet, its attack was entirely different.
It was true what they said.
In the eyes of a thousand people, there are a thousand versions of common martial arts.
Common martial arts held only a core essence; the moves were self-created. Thus, the same essence could yield wholly different techniques.
Even varying in strength.
Comprehending the third form was noticeably harder than the second. To probe deeper into the remnant essence required far more soul power.
And the fourth would be tougher still.
Ling Xiao exhaled a turbid breath.
Keep going!
Even amidst the clan’s life-or-death struggle, even facing countless martial masters, he’d held on.
What was this bit of pain now?
He roughly gauged the time. By the third form’s completion, half an hour had passed.
The fourth might take even longer.
As the saying goes, sharpening the axe doesn’t delay the chopping.
He paused his comprehension, using a moment to circulate the Snow Lotus Qi Technique and Soul Condensation Technique to restore his stamina and soul power.
By now, several disciples had been carried out to rest, their mental strength depleted.
Only a dozen remained on the fourth floor—Ling Xiao, Ling Yihang, Ling Yi Xue, Ling Shuang, Ling Zhan, Ling Wuhen, and a few others.
Seeing this, Ling Xiaotian and the three grand elders frowned.
The shorter the comprehension time, the slimmer the gains.
Back then, Ling Chen and Ling Feifan couldn’t last an hour either. They wondered if anyone could endure the full hour today.
Another quarter hour passed, leaving just six.
Ling Xiao’s stamina and soul power returned to their peak. He refocused on the tablet.
Soul immersion reactivated.
Fourth Form—Ice Heart.
Still time left?
The fourth form took less time than the third.
Ling Xiao pondered and understood.
By the third form, he’d already burned through much of his soul power and stamina, slowing his pace.
The fourth began from a peak state, so it naturally took less time.
In that case, he’d try for the fifth.
Ling Xiao refused to waste a second, diving into the fifth form’s comprehension.
The hour’s end drew near.
Of the six, Ling Shuang and Ling Zhan opened their eyes and left reluctantly.
They’d gained some insights, but like Ling Chen and Ling Feifan, it was mere surface-level understanding.
A while later, a terrifying aura spread across the fourth floor.
Ling Wuhen opened his eyes, his face alight with excitement.
Stuck at peak sixth-tier for over a decade, he’d broken through at last!
Promoted to martial master!
A seventh-tier martial artist!
Though his gains from the martial arts remnants were modest, this breakthrough was a silver lining.
Now, only three remained—Ling Xiao, Ling Yihang, and Ling Yi Xue.
A bit later.
Ling Yihang stood, brimming with excitement.
After nearly an hour, he’d grasped a single move from the tablet. To him, that one move outshone all the martial arts he’d ever practiced.
He glanced at Ling Yi Xue and Ling Xiao, marveling.
Those who lasted were truly impressive.
Ling Yi Xue’s complexion remained snow-white, unchanged even after the battle.
That wasn’t the worst of it. After the fight, the clan’s physicians examined her.
Their conclusion was sobering.
Overdrawing her potential had left her with less than three years to live. Worse, each month, the overwhelming soul power in her mind would trigger excruciating headaches.
Pain so bad it was a fate worse than death.
The cost was steep. She must’ve known beforehand, yet to save Ling Xiao, she’d shattered the seal in her mind without hesitation.
The good news? If she reached the transcendent realm, she could reclaim her lost vitality.
But that was easier said than done.
Another option was finding elixirs to extend life, but such treasures were coveted by all martial artists—rare, exorbitant, and as hard to obtain as advancing her realm.
When Ling Xiao heard this, he didn’t cry or grieve. He said only one thing—
Senior Sister Yi Xue’s future is my responsibility!
Why was he so driven to grow stronger?
To leave Tianfeng City, venture to greater cities, and find medicines to extend her life and ease her pain.
You’re awake too?
As Ling Yihang prepared to leave the fourth floor, he saw Ling Yi Xue slowly open her eyes.
Her gains surpassed his—three forms—but that was her limit.
Ling Yi Xue smiled faintly, glancing at Ling Xiao and murmuring, My junior brother’s talent shines. I hope he can fully grasp the remnant essence. These tablets likely hold five layers of meaning, with up to five forms to comprehend.
Following her gaze.
Ling Xiao’s breathing quickened, his chest heaving.
Sweat dripped from his forehead to the floor, a veritable downpour.
Just a little time remained.
The dragon’s saliva incense in the burner, used to mark time, was nearly spent.
When it burned out, the hour would end. Even if Ling Xiao didn’t wake, he’d be roused.
Can he do it? Grand Elder Ling Yin asked, a touch of nerves in his voice.
Once dismissive of Ling Xiao, Ling Yin now cared for him no less than his own grandson, Ling Feifan.
One couldn’t lack conscience.
Without Ling Xiao’s unimaginable cunning and skill in defeating Fei Mu and Fei Yun, even the divine sword’s arrival would’ve been too late.
The Ling Clan would’ve been slaughtered by then.
He will. Because he’s Ling Xiao!
Ling Xiaotian now brimmed with faith in him.
Fifth Form—Ice Storm!
At last, the final shadows converged.
The fifth form was mastered.
In that moment, Ling Xiao’s vision filled with a vast, raging ice storm.
This terrifying blizzard seemed poised to freeze his soul entirely, presenting the ultimate test.
