“Ling Xiao, are you sure you want to choose these three top-tier martial arts techniques?”
Seeing the three top-tier martial arts techniques Ling Xiao had selected, Second Master Ling immediately showed a troubled expression.
“Second Master Ling, feel free to speak your mind, no need to hold back,” Ling Xiao said.
Second Master Ling sighed and said, “This Phantom Shadow Swordsmanship was originally classified as a superior top-tier martial art, because it not only confuses opponents, but its attack power is terrifyingly strong. The attacks of the three shadow clones and the main body can stack, with power approaching that of the legendary mortal martial arts.”
“Then why was it downgraded to an entry-level top-tier martial art?”
“Well, that’s the unfortunate part. This technique is extremely difficult to master. In all the years it’s been with the Ling family, not a single person has successfully cultivated it, simply because the clones couldn’t be formed. Practising it was a waste of time,” Second Master Ling said with a bitter smile.
“In that case, I’m even more determined to choose it. The fact that others couldn’t master it shows how unique it is,” Ling Xiao said, thinking of the Soaring Cloud Steps and Bull Demon Technique he had obtained. He felt that since this Phantom Shadow Swordsmanship had once been classified as a superior top-tier martial art, there had to be a good reason for it.
The Phantom Shadow Swordsmanship was divided into six levels, with only one requirement for cultivation: the practitioner must possess deep and robust inner strength, otherwise forming the clones would be impossible.
Second Master Ling had already mentioned earlier that the most fearsome aspect of this sword technique was that the attacks of the main body and the clones could stack.
Once cultivated to the highest level, the three clones plus the main body could boost the attack power by nearly double. In terms of sheer attack strength, it was likely among the very top of all top-tier martial arts.
“Since you’ve decided to choose it, I won’t stop you, but there are some things I still have to say,” Second Master Ling said earnestly. “Even our clan leader once tried cultivating this technique, but in the end, he couldn’t form a single clone and had to give up. That led to a rumour that, although this is a top-tier martial art, it might require a mortal martial artist to successfully cultivate it.”
“Does Second Master Ling think I can’t succeed either?” Ling Xiao asked with a smile.
Second Master Ling paused, then fell into deep thought.
Indeed, the Nine-Turn Golden Body Technique was also an extremely difficult top-tier martial art, yet this kid had managed to master it. Perhaps he could create another miracle.
“I believe in you!” Second Master Ling suddenly said. “You’ve cultivated basic and advanced martial arts to the realm of perfection. That kind of talent and comprehension surpasses even the old master. The Phantom Shadow Swordsmanship has been gathering dust for so long, it might just be unveiled in your hands.”
“Of course,” Ling Xiao said confidently.
His confidence didn’t stem from believing his talent surpassed Ling Xiaotian’s, but because the Mountain and River Martial Soul had already given him the answer.
The method of forming clones in the Phantom Shadow Swordsmanship was identical to that of the Martial Soul Clone, a fusion of soul power and true energy.
Most people didn’t have a martial soul, so naturally they couldn’t form clones, making the sword technique impossible for them to cultivate.
But he could.
“If you can successfully cultivate this Phantom Shadow Swordsmanship, you might be able to take on that Ling Chen,” Second Master Ling said, stroking his chin.
“Ling Chen? The one who just returned?” Ling Xiao asked, frowning.
This Ling Chen seemed quite impressive. The moment he returned, he captured the attention of everyone in the clan, completely overshadowing Ling Xiao, the champion of this year’s grand competition.
“Yes, that’s him. It seems this lad has comprehended parts of a mortal martial arts fragment. His strength is beyond imagination. He effortlessly defeated Ling Feifan in one move. Could you do that?” Second Master Ling asked.
“Not yet,” Ling Xiao said after some thought, shaking his head.
“Hmm, you’re humble and honest, but I believe your potential will surpass that Ling Chen sooner or later,” Second Master Ling said with a smile. “But you should be cautious. Ling Chen is Ling Shisan’s son and deeply favoured by the clan leader. Now that he’s back, it’s very likely he’ll be taken to the fourth floor to study the mortal martial arts fragments and receive the clan’s full support. He might even be given one or two stalks of the clan’s treasured thousand-year snow lotus.”
“Ling Chen is Ling Shisan’s son too?” Ling Xiao was somewhat surprised.
“You probably don’t know, but my younger brother has three sons and one daughter—Feng, Chen, Yun, and Xia. Ling Feng and Ling Yun have stayed within the clan, while Ling Chen, at thirteen, apprenticed himself to a wandering hero and travelled the world. As for Yunxia, she’s even more remarkable, you’ll find out in time,” Second Master Ling said with a bitter smile. “Although your achievements stand out, you’re still an outsider. Ling Chen is the old master’s grandson, so he’ll naturally receive more than you.”
He genuinely felt it was a bit unfair for Ling Xiao. After all, Ling Xiao was this year’s grand competition champion, the one who defeated Ling Feifan, one of Tianfeng City’s four young masters.
By rights, Ling Xiao should be the one qualified to be taken to the fourth floor for observation.
But then Ling Chen suddenly returned.
The fourth floor of the Ling family’s Library Pavilion had a long-standing rule: only two people could be brought in to study within a year.
Ling Chen was undoubtedly one of them.
The other spot would likely go to Ling Feifan.
As the grandson of the supreme elder, Ling Feifan’s status was no less than Ling Chen’s.
He told all this to Ling Xiao simply to gain his favour.
Because, much like Ling Xiao, Second Master Ling was considered a “bastard” son of Ling Xiaotian, born outside the clan, and held little status within it.
Despite his outstanding talent, which placed him among the best of Ling Xiaotian’s thirteen sons, he still received no recognition.
Even to this day, Second Master Ling couldn’t bring his biological mother to live in the Ling family’s ancestral home.
“Thank you, Second Master Ling, for telling me all this. But is the fourth floor really just fragments of mortal martial arts? No complete ones?” Ling Xiao asked, a bit excited.
“As far as I know, none of the four great families in Tianfeng City possess complete mortal martial arts. Even fragments are limited to four or five types,” Second Master Ling said, shaking his head. “You must understand, mortal martial arts are techniques that surpass secular martial arts. Only martial artists who have cultivated beyond the ninth level of the Martial Vein are qualified to obtain and practise them.”
“I see, that puts my mind at ease,” Ling Xiao said.
If Ling Chen and Ling Feifan had obtained complete mortal martial arts, he’d have no chance.
“Second Master Ling, you said earlier that the three top-tier martial arts I chose aren’t quite suitable. I now understand why for the Phantom Shadow Swordsmanship, but what about the other two?” Ling Xiao quickly changed the subject, not wanting to dwell too much on things he couldn’t change.
“The Sword Mastery Technique: Black Iron Scroll is also a fine martial art, but it requires a flying sword technique as a foundation, preferably an advanced martial art cultivated to the realm of perfection, otherwise it can’t be practised,” Second Master Ling explained. “Moreover, this technique needs a good flying sword to complement it. Flying swords are shorter and thinner than regular swords, difficult to forge, and extremely rare.”
“I understand. What about the Soul Condensation Technique?” Ling Xiao secretly rejoiced. He had cultivated the Hundred-Step Flying Sword Technique to the realm of perfection, which absolutely qualified him to practise the Sword Mastery Technique: Black Iron Scroll. As for the flying sword, he wasn’t worried for now. His Breeze Sword was, after all, a mortal-grade treasure, and it would suffice for quite a while.
