“Come on, alpha wolf!”
A peak level-four ferocious beast, its strength rivaled an early Mortal Realm fifth-stage martial artist, with combat prowess even surpassing that.
Eighty percent of the scars on Ling Xiao’s body were caused by this wolf.
This time, he wasn’t planning to dodge.
He wanted to face the alpha head-on and settle the score.
“Nine Veins Air Sword · Wolf-Shaped Sword!”
Ling Xiao roared, four air swords flashing from his hands. During this training, he hadn’t just advanced in cultivation—his techniques had progressed significantly, now wielding four air swords.
Meanwhile, under the persistent training of his Sword Soul clone, he had reached the second layer of his technique, boosting all his abilities’ power.
His clone technique had improved even faster, condensing six sword shadow clones. Two belonged to his Sword Soul clone with a sword martial soul, while the other four still lacked matching martial souls.
The Wolf-Shaped Sword, as the name implied, was a sword technique as fierce as a wolf!
Ling Xiao had devised this method during his half-month battle with the Wind-Tail Wolves.
The Wolf-Shaped Sword had twenty-two moves, each inspired by one of the Wind-Tail Wolves, varying in strength but each with unique traits.
This particular move was crafted from the alpha’s attacks, so it was more accurately called—
Wolf-Shaped Sword King!
The air sword-formed raging wolf clashed with the real Wind-Tail Wolf alpha in the center of the cave, locked in a stalemate.
True essence spilled into the air, whipping up a fierce wind.
“Fall!”
Ling Xiao bellowed, his true essence surging wildly. The alpha held on briefly but was ultimately pierced through the throat by the sword.
Just as it seemed the wolf would die, Ling Xiao flicked his wrist, redirecting the terrifying sword qi into the cave wall, carving a wolf-shaped crater.
“I said I wouldn’t kill you since you trained with me. I, Ling Xiao, am not one to break my word.”
Though he knew the wolves genuinely wanted to kill him, this was Yuan Zun’s rule. After half a month of their training assistance, he couldn’t be the one to betray that trust.
“Master, can we let them go now?”
Ling Xiao put on his clothes, grinning as he asked.
He sat down, grabbing a bottle of mid-grade True Essence Pills and pouring them into his mouth.
His Mountain River World once held over a hundred bottles of mid-grade True Essence Pills, but now only three or four remained.
During training, he always ended with his true essence depleted. Taking True Essence Pills in that state allowed his body to absorb them ravenously, greatly benefiting him.
This was why he’d reached Mortal Realm fourth stage in just ten days.
Mid-grade True Essence Pills were simple to refine, but they were no longer sufficient. After reaching Mortal Realm fourth stage, he’d need high-grade True Essence Pills for better recovery and greater benefits.
“Go on, leave!”
Yuan Zun waved his claw. The alpha nodded at him, then at Ling Xiao.
Half a month of grueling sparring had been tough, but the alpha sensed a faint sign of breaking through.
For a beast like it, breakthroughs were incredibly rare, yet it had gained such an opportunity.
Ling Xiao’s fighting style also resonated with the Wind-Tail Wolves’ temperament.
“Little brother, if you ever need us Wind-Tail Wolves, just say the word.”
After transmitting the message, the alpha led its pack away.
Ling Xiao sat cross-legged, entering a cultivation state.
This had become his habit over the past half-month: after training, with his true essence drained, he’d consume large amounts of True Essence Pills. The cultivation effect was far superior to any other time.
His meridians’ hunger for power was greedier than ever.
As Ling Xiao fully entered cultivation, his breathing steadied. Spiritual qi in the air swirled around him, absorbed instantly upon touching his body, like water meeting a desert.
His internal state was similar.
The true essence seeping from the True Essence Pills was completely devoured by his body, not a trace left.
This cultivation effect surpassed even what his Mountain River Martial Soul could achieve before. Now, he could do it effortlessly.
This was the benefit of having a monstrous master. Without Yuan Zun, Ling Xiao would’ve taken ages to discover such an effective method.
Deep in the Fulong Mountain Range, spiritual qi was already abundant.
Coupled with Ling Xiao’s choice of an excellent cultivation spot, vast amounts of spiritual qi surged in like playful children, merging into his body.
The spiritual qi around him grew denser, yet he couldn’t absorb it all.
“This is a sign of a breakthrough!”
Yuan Zun noticed, thrilled and surprised for Ling Xiao.
Just five days ago, Ling Xiao had reached early Mortal Realm fourth stage, and now he was on the verge of another breakthrough.
Though moving from early to mid Mortal Realm fourth stage was a minor step, it was remarkable for the Mortal Realm!
It seemed time to use the hundred-year Nine Dragon Quenching Essence Pill.
Ling Xiao’s body craved energy intensely. Taking the pill now could, if conditions were right, propel him straight to Mortal Realm fifth stage.
Jumping from mid Mortal Realm fourth stage to fifth stage, skipping several sub-stages, was only possible with Ling Xiao’s current state and the Nine Dragon Quenching Essence Pill.
When Ling Xiao opened his eyes again, his cultivation had reached mid Mortal Realm fourth stage.
“Take the hundred-year Nine Dragon Quenching Essence Pill and keep cultivating. Seize this rare chance—don’t miss it.”
Yuan Zun offered no explanation, trusting Ling Xiao would understand.
Ling Xiao paused briefly, then nodded.
He understood. After days of training, his body, true essence, and soul were already primed for the impact of higher cultivation.
All he needed was to advance!
He took out the hundred-year Nine Dragon Quenching Essence Pill and swallowed it.
The pill hit his stomach, igniting a fiery sensation and a tearing pain in his organs.
But to him, this was nothing.
The pain he’d endured in past training was far worse, and he’d survived it. This was trivial.
The hundred-year Nine Dragon Quenching Essence Pill acted like a magnet, drawing even more spiritual qi with irresistible allure.
Massive amounts of spiritual qi flooded the cave from all directions, pouring into Ling Xiao’s body.
The influx formed a gale within the cave.
