Dai Yuling gave a wry smile, “Thank goodness you’re alright, otherwise I’d have become the sect’s great sinner.”
Though her words were simple, she was genuinely grateful to Ling Xiao from the bottom of her heart.
Today’s battles were all sparked because of her.
Lan Yu’er’s beautiful eyes flickered, her gaze towards Ling Xiao complex, she had once been an outstanding genius in the sect.
As a result, she’d grown somewhat lax in her cultivation, otherwise she might have already advanced to the Celestial Realm.
But after meeting Ling Xiao, she realised her efforts were far from enough, if she continued to slack off, she’d likely be easily surpassed by this lad.
Princess Zhao Ci of the Northern Han Kingdom was so astonished her mouth hung wide open, utterly baffled as to why the heavens were so unfair, allowing this ruthless fellow’s strength to soar so quickly.
Prince Zhao Zhi of the Northern Han Kingdom could only shake his head with a bitter smile.
He was deeply relieved he hadn’t challenged Ling Xiao earlier, otherwise, he’d likely have been defeated even more miserably.
When he first joined the sect, he’d dreamed of dominating the outer sect, overpowering everyone.
But then came Leng Hao.
And now, Ling Xiao.
Leng Hao was merely gifted, noticed by the Golden Light Heavenly Sovereign.
But Ling Xiao, though less talented, far surpassed him in cultivation and strength, leaving him utterly frustrated.
He felt he was increasingly unable to fathom this junior brother who joined the Moon Flower Sect at the same time.
“Elder Black, what do you say, does Ling Xiao now deserve to be called the outer sect’s number one?”
Elder White looked smugly at the grim-faced Elder Black.
“Hmph, being the outer sect’s number one isn’t so easy, the top three may be inferior to him, but there are still others in the top ten, and with over a thousand outer sect disciples, there might well be someone unafraid to challenge him.”
Elder Black snorted coldly.
“Heh, that’s a matter for the future, Ling Xiao defeated Wang Feng, he’s the outer sect’s number one now, who dares dispute it?”
Elder White laughed heartily, in the past, Elder Black, backed by Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign, had mocked him endlessly, today he finally got his revenge.
To say Ling Xiao didn’t care about the title of outer sect number one wouldn’t be entirely true.
After all, the resources and treatment granted to the outer sect’s number one far exceeded those of all other outer sect disciples.
Thus, that very day, Ling Xiao was given a new cave mansion.
This cave mansion was better located, with richer spiritual energy, and his monthly stipend was now greater than that of all other outer sect disciples.
It was over thirty times the reward given to outer sect disciples ranked below thirtieth.
Moreover, that evening, when Ling Xiao met the Death Tower Master, he received the promised reward.
“Ling Xiao, your performance in the Death Tower greatly pleased me, so I’m giving you a chance to visit the inner sect’s Moon Flower Tower to select a Gold-Grade Rare martial art, no restrictions on type, you can choose whenever you like, but your time inside the Moon Flower Tower cannot exceed half an hour.”
A Gold-Grade Rare martial art!
Ling Xiao couldn’t help but smile.
His current internal energy technique was still a Quasi-Gold-Grade martial art, long outdated for his cultivation level, so choosing a Gold-Grade internal energy technique was a must.
Ling Xiao already possessed a Gold-Grade Superior defensive martial art and a Gold-Grade Rare sword art.
So he was well aware of the vast gap between different tiers of Gold-Grade martial arts.
Forget Quasi-Gold-Grade versus Gold-Grade martial arts.
Even between Gold-Grade Entry-Level and Gold-Grade Rare martial arts, the difference was like night and day.
In the Moon Flower Sect, outer sect disciples could only access Gold-Grade Entry-Level martial arts, while inner sect disciples were eligible to learn Gold-Grade Rare martial arts!
So for an outer sect disciple like him, how precious this opportunity was, he knew better than anyone.
“This is a special entry token for the inner sect’s Moon Flower Tower, usable only once, cherish it well.”
After handing Ling Xiao a token, the Death Tower Master dismissed him.
Though Ling Xiao felt the Death Tower Master’s aura was oddly familiar, he didn’t dare confirm it, some things, once confirmed, could bring life-threatening danger.
If this person was indeed someone he knew, they would reveal their identity if they wished, no need to dwell on it.
Upon returning to his new cave mansion, Ling Xiao didn’t rush to select a martial art.
He wanted to be in peak condition, after all, with only half an hour, if he wasn’t at his best, it could be problematic.
Of course, while recovering, he didn’t forget the task Yuan Zun had given him—
Crafting the Fire Snake Array.
Besides internal energy techniques, he was also highly eager to cultivate in the Broad Cold Palace.
Now that Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign had set his sights on him, as long as he remained in the sect with Yang Danlin’s protection, Demon Flame wouldn’t dare act.
Of course, he could still pressure Ling Xiao through Hei Suo and others.
But unless Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign acted personally, Ling Xiao wasn’t afraid.
However, he couldn’t easily leave the sect in the near future, or it would truly be dangerous, unless he left with a powerful ally or had the means to survive under Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign’s hand.
Cultivation was one aspect.
Arrays were another.
And alchemy, too.
If he could craft truly exceptional pills, hiring a Celestial Realm expert as a bodyguard wasn’t impossible, though it would take considerable time.
Once he felt fully recovered, Ling Xiao left his cave mansion, preparing to head to the inner sect’s Moon Flower Tower.
But before that, he visited Dai Yuling.
He wanted to know how she was doing, whether she’d been bullied again during his few days of rest.
The situation was better than he’d imagined, his thunderous methods had left all outer sect disciples too intimidated to act.
And Yang Danlin’s intervention to block Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign’s attack made some outer sect elders and deacons wary of offending Ling Xiao.
They’d rather stay neutral, as offending either side could lead to dire consequences.
Only Elder Black and Elder White had clear stances.
Elder Black was firmly in Demon Flame Heavenly Sovereign’s camp.
While Elder White staunchly supported Ling Xiao.
Passing through the outer sect and the Alchemy Hall, many outer sect disciples showed him great respect, whether sincere or not, they all addressed him as “Senior Brother Ling.”
Going from junior brother to the outer sect’s senior brother felt a bit strange.
Especially being called senior brother by someone twice his age, it always felt awkward.
But that’s reality, when your strength surpasses another’s, even if they’re older or more senior, they still have to show you respect.
Originally, Ling Xiao hadn’t planned to be so high-profile, his plan was to break through to the Mortal Realm and enter the inner sect in one go, no need to dominate the outer sect.
But now, things had worked out well, being forced to become the outer sect’s number one.
He’d trampled the entire outer sect underfoot.
