At the end of the half-month, one of Ling Xiao’s clones had elevated the Ghost Ship Remnant Soul, Giant Sword Remnant Soul, and Thunder Bear Remnant Soul to ninety percent completion.
Using the Blood Shadow Martial Soul, he developed a new ultimate technique—Blood Shadow Annihilation.
Unlike the ferocity of Giant Spirit Kill or the deceptive moves of Blood Blade Shadow King Kill, Blood Shadow Annihilation was an assassination technique.
It allowed instant disappearance and reappearance, making it impossible for enemies to defend against.
The other clone successfully mastered the second form of Divine Prison King Fist—Horse Face Shatter.
Bull Head and Horse Face were complementary forms.
Now fully comprehended, their power multiplied, amplified by his surging soul force.
Though only a quasi-mortal martial art, its attack power rivaled entry-level mortal martial arts.
Such rapid progress and comprehension owed much to the Mountain River Martial Soul’s extraordinary effects.
No wonder so many coveted it. Despite the risk of deadly consequences, its benefits were immense.
Ling Xiao resolved never to reveal it before others, unless facing certain death.
It was a double-edged sword, offering great rewards but also great dangers.
After over a month of cultivation, less than two months remained until the Hidden Sect’s recruitment assessment.
Travel would consume some time, leaving him just over a month to enhance his strength.
But after a month of seclusion, he was mentally and physically drained, his body sluggish.
Despite the tight schedule, Ling Xiao paused cultivation to eat well and rest.
During seclusion, he’d eaten only jerky, harmful to his health.
Below the mortal realm, even with great strength, he was still mortal flesh. Proper nutrition was essential.
Nutritious, delicious food effectively restored bodily functions.
Leaving the training room, Ling Xiao asked a young Taoist to prepare a meal.
Though only Master Baiyun’s entry-level disciple, his status in Baiyun Temple far surpassed the young Taoist’s.
“Any interesting events lately?” Ling Xiao asked while eating.
“Young Master Ling, the biggest news this past month is Young Master Zuo Leng advancing to ninth-layer Martial Vein!” the Taoist replied.
“Another ninth-layer? I need to work harder,” Ling Xiao thought.
“What about Ming Tian? Any progress in his cultivation?”
“Young Master Ming Tian advanced from early ninth-layer to late ninth-layer!” the Taoist answered.
“What!”
Zuo Leng’s breakthrough was surprising, but this shocked Ling Xiao more.
It seemed Master Baiyun had given them special treatment again. While Ling Xiao toiled to exchange military merits for pills, they had easy access.
Enviable, indeed.
Even without Master Baiyun’s aid, their potential was rare in Baiyun Province and even Tianlong Continent.
Ming Tian, at sixteen, reached late ninth-layer.
Zuo Leng, just sixteen, hit ninth-layer.
This dimmed other geniuses’ brilliance, explaining why Master Baiyun believed only they could reliably enter Yuehua Sect.
Ling Yixue and Ling Xiao, starting behind, seemed less prodigious by comparison.
“Anything else?” Ling Xiao asked, calming down.
Many geniuses had once outpaced him, but he was closing the gap with Ming Tian and Zuo Leng.
He felt urgency but no inferiority—only stronger resolve.
“Yes!” The Taoist thought for a moment. “About ten days ago, someone claiming to be Master Baiyun’s martial nephew visited to talk. It didn’t go well—they even fought.”
“Fought?”
“Yes, Young Master Ling, you may not know, but Master wasn’t his nephew’s match. He lost in about twenty moves. Young Masters Ming Tian and Zuo Leng witnessed it,” the Taoist whispered, cautious about spreading such news.
Ling Xiao was stunned.
In such a short time, Master Baiyun, once invincible in Beihan Kingdom and the Human Sacred Dynasty, had lost twice.
The world was vast, with countless powerhouses.
“Alright, clear the table. I’m done.”
Ling Xiao finished eating while questioning.
The Taoist’s words sparked intense urgency. After resting briefly and feeling recovered, he returned to the training room to resume cultivation.
Immense pressure fueled fierce determination.
Ling Xiao trained relentlessly.
Buzz!
In peak condition, driven by powerful resolve, his Mountain River Martial Soul transformed.
The small village within it grew into a town with more residents.
This was superficial.
The deeper benefit was a further boost in its enhancement effects, with his soul’s fusion deepening.
From one percent fusion, it reached ten percent—a tenfold increase.
Greater fusion strengthened his control over the Mountain River Martial Soul.
He believed one day it would fully merge with his soul, becoming one, indistinguishable.
Its effects would then be fully unleashed.
The fusion’s benefits were immediate. Energy from the Mountain River Martial Soul flooded his body, like soaking in a hot spring.
Seizing the moment, he cultivated for another half-month.
Every vein in his body transformed into Heavenly Dragon Tendons.
This completed both aspects of the third layer of Heavenly Dragon Golden Body.
Heavenly Dragon Tendons boosted strength, stamina, flexibility, and speed comprehensively.
Moreover, forming them triggered consecutive breakthroughs, propelling his cultivation from early eighth-layer to late eighth-layer.
He felt his current strength was astonishing.
No one below eighth-layer could challenge him.
Even top geniuses were helpless against him.
Against early ninth-layer martial masters, he had even odds, potentially outlasting them with Heavenly Dragon Scale Armor.
Such rapid breakthroughs might draw attention, so he adjusted his aura to early eighth-layer.
This avoided suspicion, and hiding strength offered many advantages, especially catching enemies off guard.
