“Come back!”
The flying sword was recalled into the Shanhe World.
Ling Xiao could’ve killed the black-scarf bandit leader outside, but he was too desperate for resources—the bandits’ treasure was a fatal lure.
So he’d conjured a martial soul clone to trail the leader, guarding against a sneak attack.
Sure enough, the guy tried it—if it’d been his real body, he might’ve been hurt.
When the leader reached for something, Ling Xiao, wary of trouble, used his sword art to cut him down.
He didn’t know what the guy was grabbing, but in that instant, his Shanhe Martial Soul sent a danger warning.
Whatever it was, it could threaten him.
Ling Xiao walked over, first taking the storage ring from the leader’s hand. Inside were some advanced martial techniques, an entry-level top-tier technique, gold, silver, and a few dozen low-grade spirit stones—nothing else special.
The top lieutenants’ rings likely held similar hauls.
He decided to pocket the gold and spirit stones in the Shanhe World, leaving the rest for the Ling Clan.
Silver was useless to him, advanced techniques beneath his notice, and the top-tier entry-level one barely piqued his interest.
After the ring, he swept the entire bandit treasury into the Shanhe World.
Same deal—silver for the Ling Clan’s rebuilding, gold and spirit stones for himself.
Then he grabbed the item from the leader’s waist.
The Shanhe Martial Soul analyzed it:
Dragon-Slaying Pill: A failed alchemist’s byproduct with terrifying explosive power. It can injure a Martial Vein Seventh Layer warrior; anyone below Sixth Layer peak is dead on impact. A rare fluke product, unmass-producible, extremely scarce.
“Scary stuff. Good thing he didn’t use it, or I’d have been in bad shape,” Ling Xiao muttered, sucking in a breath. Thanks to the Shanhe Martial Soul’s timely alert.
He stashed the pill in the Shanhe World, then hit the main hall, looting the other four lieutenants’ rings—gold and spirit stones into his world, martial techniques and silver piled up. He fired off a signal arrow.
The Ling Clan used these for emergencies.
The loot needed the clan to haul it back.
He wouldn’t give them the storage rings.
With seven now, including past gains, he’d sell them in Baiyun Prefecture for spirit stones—he didn’t need them with the Shanhe World’s superior storage.
Within fifteen minutes of the arrow, the Ling Clan arrived.
It was a big turnout—Clan Leader Ling Xiaotian, three supreme elders, Ling Yixue, Ling Yihang, and more.
Only Ling Wuhen, now the Divine Sword Sect leader, stayed behind in Tianfeng City.
Entering the bandit lair, Ling Xiaotian and crew were floored. They’d trusted Ling Xiao could handle the bandits, but not this effortlessly.
How long had it taken? The black-scarf bandits were uprooted, their underground stash unearthed.
“Clan Leader, take this stuff back to the Ling Clan. I’ve lingered long enough—it’s time to go,” Ling Xiao said.
Wiping out the bandits had cemented his strength.
Under Martial Master, he had no rivals; even half-step Martial Masters couldn’t touch him.
He needed a bigger stage to grow.
“Junior Brother, I’ll go with you,” Ling Yixue said.
She’d been restless since he left, planning to sneak after him, but the arrow made her think he was in trouble, so she’d rushed over.
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
She’d thought she wouldn’t care much about Ling Xiao leaving, but when he did, she realized his mark was etched deep in her heart.
That’s when she saw her true feelings, prompting her to join him.
“Couldn’t ask for more,” Ling Xiao grinned. “Senior Sister’s a Martial Master now—in Baiyun Prefecture, I’ll need your protection.”
He genuinely wanted her along; staying in Tianfeng City would just waste her talent.
“Sweet talker!” Ling Yixue gave a wry smile. She was a Martial Master, sure, but against Ling Xiao now, she’d bet less than fifty-fifty.
His real terror wasn’t strength—it was that uncanny, masterful intellect.
“If you two are heading to Baiyun Prefecture, I suggest stopping by Dragon Gate first,” Ling Xiaotian said.
Since learning of Ling Xiao’s destination, he’d been digging for ways to ease his integration into Baiyun Prefecture.
He’d just gotten a tip, hence this personal visit.
“Dragon Gate?” Ling Xiao asked.
“Yes, a port near Tianfeng City where Ninja Clan and Blue-Eye Clan cargo ships dock,” Ling Xiaotian replied.
“I know it, but why go there? I said I’m heading to Baiyun Prefecture,” Ling Xiao said, puzzled.
“Ever heard of the Dream Pill?” Ling Xiaotian asked.
“Yeah!”
Ling Xiao, once a beggar, had picked up odd tales.
Rumor said the Dream Pill, from overseas, boosted cultivation speed—hence its name.
He relayed this, but Ling Xiaotian shook his head, “It does that, but once you take it, you’re hooked. Stop for a day, you’re miserable; a month, unbearable itching; three months, your martial skills vanish!”
“That bad?” Ling Xiao gasped.
“People think it’s a miracle, but it’s addictive and can’t be quit—it’s a leash,” Ling Xiaotian sighed. “Word is, the Ninja Clan secretly makes it to sell in human lands, turning our warriors into their puppets.”
“Thanks for the heads-up, Clan Leader. We’d never touch it,” Ling Xiao said firmly.
“Good, but that’s not the whole point. I want you and Yixue to join Lord Lin Ze at Dragon Gate—he’s cracking down on Dream Pill trafficking,” Ling Xiaotian revealed his real aim.
“Lord Lin Ze is at Martial Vein Ninth Layer peak, upright and unyielding. Aligning with him will help you both a lot.”
