Although he had anticipated that perfecting the Barbarian Bull Strength would lead to a breakthrough, it had only been a prediction.
Now, having personally experienced the destructive power of this ferocious force, Ling Xiao was thrilled beyond measure.
Truly, the heavens had not forsaken him. He had originally thought it would take a month to break through to the second level of the Martial Vein.
But unexpectedly, just three days after obtaining the Mountain and River Martial Soul, he had already succeeded.
At this rate, his future potential seemed limitless.
The Mountain and River Diagram changed once again. The clouds parted slightly, revealing a household.
However, this wasn’t a human family—it belonged to the Bull Demon Clan, one of the ancient myriad races.
They had bull heads and human bodies, with incredibly robust physiques and terrifying strength.
What did this mean?
Ling Xiao was a bit puzzled, but he refused to believe it was a coincidence. He had just perfected the Barbarian Bull Strength, and now a Bull Demon Clan household appeared in the village. To say there was no connection—he wouldn’t buy it.
But dwelling on it was pointless. For now, he needed to focus on how to face the Ling Clan’s annual competition.
This event was the only chance for outer disciples to rise above their station!
Things that were usually out of reach could potentially be obtained through this grand contest.
Of course, you had to secure a ranking.
With his strength growing rapidly, his ambitions grew as well.
In the past, Ling Xiao wouldn’t have dared dream of becoming a martial artist above the third level of the Martial Vein—it had seemed too distant, too unrealistic.
The nine levels of the Martial Vein were divided into stages. Levels one to three were the awakening stage, commonly known in the secular world as the lowest tier of martial artists, “Martial Students.”
The best Martial Students could wield a thousand pounds of force, tear apart tigers and leopards, and punch wolves and bears—already considered impressive figures in the eyes of ordinary people.
But after reaching the fourth level of the Martial Vein, a dramatic shift occurred.
Levels four to six were the Gang Qi stage, earning the official title of “Martial Disciple.” The defining trait of this stage was the transformation of true qi into gang qi, enabling attacks from a distance.
With gang qi, the possibilities expanded infinitely. It was the goal countless martial artists pursued.
Many spent their entire lives unable to reach it.
Yet now, Ling Xiao felt a burning conviction that he might have a shot at becoming a Martial Disciple!
This dream was no longer a vague fantasy—it had become tangible, something he could reach out and grasp.
…
At dinner, Ling Xiao excitedly shared the news of his breakthrough to the second level of the Martial Vein with his grandfather.
The old man, utterly shocked, watched Ling Xiao demonstrate his skills before bursting into tears of joy.
“Good child, seeing you make such progress, Grandpa can die content.”
“Grandpa, after I compete in the annual contest, I’ll hire the best doctor to treat your injuries.”
It was humiliating to admit that, despite knowing his grandfather had broken ribs, they couldn’t afford treatment, leaving the old man in pain and unable to sleep at night.
But all Ling Xiao could do was push himself harder. The rewards from the annual contest were generous and customizable.
Just a little longer—it was almost time.
“Grandpa’s fine. Don’t push yourself too hard. Even though you’ve reached the second level of the Martial Vein, there are too many martial artists at this level. If you overdo it, you’ll get hurt.”
The old man’s thoughts were simple—he didn’t want Ling Xiao to get injured for his sake.
But Ling Xiao’s resolve was equally straightforward. To heal his grandfather’s injuries and rise above his circumstances, he was determined to secure a good ranking in this annual contest.
There was still time. Next, he’d head to the library pavilion to select a more advanced martial technique suited to his level.
With better techniques, his progress would surely accelerate.
The library pavilion, as the name suggested, was a repository of books. Beyond some historical records of the Ling Clan, it primarily housed martial arts manuals.
After eating, Ling Xiao eagerly dashed to the library pavilion. Along the way, many pointed and whispered about him.
But he didn’t care.
Strength was what mattered most.
“Little beggar!”
A sharp voice rang out. At the entrance of the library pavilion, a boy and a girl emerged.
The girl was lively and cute, with a bold, flirtatious air.
The boy was dashing and spirited, with a refined appearance and considerable strength.
The one calling Ling Xiao “little beggar” was the girl—the spoiled young miss who used to bully him and his grandfather.
Later, when he became a disciple of the Ling Clan, she’d fawned over him. But when he struggled to break through to the second level of the Martial Vein, she turned hostile again and threw herself into the arms of the boy beside her.
Ling Xiao had zero fondness for this girl.
Cute or not, if her heart was more venomous than a snake or scorpion, she was nothing but a pretty shell hiding rot inside!
“You’re the little beggar Ling Yu mentioned? You’ve broken through to the second level of the Martial Vein—impressive. But among the outer disciples, you’re still on the weaker side. Keep working hard,” the boy said, looking down at Ling Xiao with a condescending air, as if he were a senior lecturing a junior.
“Ling Feng, a main branch disciple of the Ling Clan, at the peak of the third level of the Martial Vein, and a member of the Ling Clan’s Elite Hall!”
Ling Xiao glanced at Ling Feng. In the past, he’d felt nothing but inferiority and helplessness in this boy’s presence.
But now, he didn’t care. The third level of the Martial Vein? He’d surpass it soon enough.
“Ling Yu, you’ve picked a fine man,” Ling Xiao said lightly. “But Ling Feng, this woman once discarded me like trash. Sooner or later, she’ll do the same to you.”
Both thirteen years old, he didn’t see Ling Feng as superior.
“Hmph, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Yu’er liking the strong. It’s been that way since ancient times,” Ling Feng said with a cold snort.
Ling Xiao chuckled. “Are you so sure I’ll never catch up to or surpass you?”
“Absolutely!” Ling Feng replied arrogantly.
“Fine, then I won’t waste my breath. You two take care—I’m heading to the library pavilion.”
“Wait a second!”
Ling Yu grinned at Ling Xiao. “Little beggar, a person’s fate is set by the heavens. You were born a beggar, and you’ll always be one.”
“But I’m already a disciple of the Ling Clan now!”
“Doesn’t matter. You’ll still end up a beggar. If you don’t place in this annual contest, you won’t get into the Elite Hall. Without the Elite Hall, you’d have to reach the third level of the Martial Vein before turning fourteen. Can you do that? If not, it’s back to begging for you.”
Ling Yu gloated smugly.
“Of course, there’s another option—obediently become a servant of the Ling Clan. Stick with my Feng gege, and he can protect you from that Ling Chong’s bullying.”
Ling Xiao sneered with disdain. Even before he had the Mountain and River Martial Soul, he’d never considered being anyone’s lackey.
Now that he was a different person, people like Ling Chong and Ling Feng were destined to be trampled under his feet. Become their servant?
Ridiculous!
“Didn’t anyone tell you I already beat Ling Chong into a hospital bed?” Ling Xiao said calmly.
“Hmph, you’re a loser, and Ling Chong’s a loser too! A fight between trash—what’s there to brag about?” Ling Feng’s voice cut in sharply.
“Trash, huh? The last guy who called me trash ended up with two broken ribs. Wonder what’ll happen to you?” Ling Xiao met Ling Feng’s gaze, showing no sign of backing down.
“Hahahaha, good! I’ll give you credit for having guts, you piece of trash. Don’t worry, I won’t touch you today. The annual contest is less than half a month away. When the time comes, I’ll make you realize that trash is trash, dogs are dogs, and a servant can never climb above their master!”
Ling Feng laughed as if he’d heard the funniest joke in the world.
“Then let’s settle it at the contest.”
