“Ling Xiao!”
Lost in thought, Ling Xiao suddenly heard a voice calling him.
He instantly recognised it as Dai Yuling’s voice.
At that moment, Dai Yuling was learning from a beautiful senior sister how to use her martial soul to cultivate medicinal herbs.
Today, Ling Xiao learned that Dai Yuling’s martial soul was actually a spiritual herb, though he didn’t know its specific name.
What surprised him was that what was once a broken martial soul had now become a complete one.
Though still translucent, it had greatly enhanced Dai Yuling’s strength compared to before.
“Dai Yuling!”
Ling Xiao and Dai Yuling were used to calling each other by name, so it didn’t feel improper.
However, the beautiful senior sister beside her frowned slightly.
“Master Yang, is this the genius you spoke of?”
“Lan Yu’er, don’t underestimate him. This kid’s comprehension is probably even better than yours,” Master Yang said.
Lan Yu’er looked to be around sixteen or seventeen, not much older than Ling Xiao, but her cultivation was terrifyingly high.
Ling Xiao couldn’t gauge her exact realm, but it was likely no lower than Hei Suo’s.
“Really?” Lan Yu’er glanced at Ling Xiao, her icy eyes devoid of any emotion.
No disdain, no surprise, just complete indifference.
Ling Xiao had seen this look before—an absolute confidence and strength that dismissed everyone, not specifically aimed at him.
Since she ignored him, Ling Xiao had no interest in engaging her either.
She was beautiful, sure, but he had no desire to befriend a block of ice. That’d be no fun.
“Never would’ve guessed, Ling Xiao, that you’d have a talent for herbology. I didn’t see that coming,” Dai Yuling said, clearly surprised.
“You two know each other?” Master Yang asked, glancing at Ling Xiao.
“She and I are both from Baiyun Province. We used to be senior and junior disciples,” Ling Xiao explained.
“Master Yang, my junior brother is incredible. When he first joined the Hidden Dragon Camp, his cultivation was far behind mine, but now he’s surpassed me. I have to say, he’s the most gifted martial artist I’ve ever seen. You’ve got a good eye,” Dai Yuling said casually, evidently familiar with Master Yang.
What Ling Xiao didn’t know was that Dai Yuling had been specifically chosen by Master Yang and Lan Yu’er, so of course they already knew each other.
“Yuling, don’t feel inferior. Study well under me, and your cultivation will surely surpass his,” Lan Yu’er suddenly said.
This woman was indeed proud, unable to tolerate anyone outshining her or even her disciple.
To think she was already taking disciples at sixteen or seventeen—Lan Yu’er’s status in the Moonlight Sect must be significant.
“Oh, I forgot to introduce you, little guy. This is your senior sister, Lan Yu’er. She’s remarkable—only sixteen, yet already at the ninth level of the Mortal Realm, with exceptional talent in herbology. She’s also one of the deputy hall masters of the Medicine Hall,” Master Yang said with a smile.
Good heavens, had this girl been cultivating since the womb? Ninth-level Mortal Realm was close to Master Yang’s own level, likely making her a top figure among the inner disciples.
Her pride was justified—she had every reason to be.
Ling Xiao looked at Lan Yu’er again, this time with a touch of admiration.
He wouldn’t bow to beauty, but for someone truly capable, he never withheld his respect.
“Senior Sister Lan is the real genius. My little skills must seem laughable to you,” Ling Xiao said, cupping his fists.
“You know your place,” Lan Yu’er replied lightly, then added, “Master Yang keeps praising your comprehension, and Yuling’s always raving about you. But herbology and alchemy are vast fields, not something you can just muddle through. If you’re just here to coast, I suggest you give up now.”
Ling Xiao smiled, “No need to worry, Senior Sister. I’ve never touched alchemy or herbology and know nothing of pharmacology, but I’m confident. There’s nothing I can’t handle.”
He wasn’t bragging. With his Mountain River Martial Soul, what could stump him?
If he truly applied himself, his achievements would match anyone here—it was just a matter of time.
Lan Yu’er frowned, displeased with Ling Xiao’s tone, as if alchemy and herbology were easy.
If they were, the world wouldn’t have so few herbologists.
“Master Yang, your disciple seems a bit overconfident. He hasn’t even grasped basic pharmacology yet dares to speak so boldly. Have you really taken him as a disciple?” Lan Yu’er asked, turning to Master Yang.
“Not yet!” Master Yang replied.
“Good, you’re being prudent,” Lan Yu’er nodded, finding this reasonable.
“You misunderstand, Lan girl. It’s not that I’m being prudent. This kid flat-out refuses to take me as his master. No choice, so I’ve just kept him around as a medicine boy for now,” Master Yang sighed. “To be honest, I’m not qualified to be his master.”
“What!”
Lan Yu’er’s usually calm expression showed clear shock.
Who was Master Yang?
The Moonlight Sect’s most outstanding herbologist. In alchemy and herbology, if even he wasn’t qualified to teach Ling Xiao, who was?
“Master Yang, that’s a big joke. Ling Xiao’s potential isn’t even as good as several of his peers, and his strength is mediocre. What gives him the right to refuse being your disciple? What’s he relying on?” Lan Yu’er’s voice rose.
“Heh, Lan girl, don’t be unconvinced. I’ve seen countless geniuses. In cultivation, some may outshine this kid, but in comprehension, if he’s second, no one dares claim first—not even me. A talent like him, I don’t want to scare off. If he won’t take me as master, fine by me,” Master Yang chuckled.
Lan Yu’er was stunned. With her insight and experience, she couldn’t see anything exceptional in Ling Xiao.
But that made sense—she was only sixteen, far less experienced than Master Yang.
Could this kid really have something special?
With that thought, Lan Yu’er found herself a bit intrigued by Ling Xiao.
Just a bit, though. Whether he was worth her attention depended on his future performance.
“Lan girl, I brought Ling Xiao here today partly to let him get familiar with the environment, but also to trouble you to guide him a bit. You know I’m too busy to teach him the basics,” Master Yang said with a smile.
“Since Master Yang asks, I’ll naturally do my part,” Lan Yu’er replied.
