He earned thirteen points, adding to the one he had saved, making a total of fourteen.
Points weren't meant to be saved, they were to be spent as soon as earned.
At the one-ring Soul Master stage, it took two points to gain one level. He would spend points every half a month to match the claim that life-and-death battles could force out his potential.
He needed this narrative to explain how someone with only innate level one soul power could still upgrade so rapidly.
If anyone didn't believe him, they could go fight more life-and-death battles themselves. If they died trying, that would only prove Fang Ling right. Dead men tell no tales.
He used four points to level up twice.
The remaining nine points were all invested into his martial soul.
Naturally, his status panel reflected the changes:
Soul Power: 12 (31%) → 14 (31%)
Martial Soul: Scythe (Lv1, 10%) → (Lv2, 0%)
(A common farming tool used to harvest crops and cut grass. After one enhancement, both its toughness and sharpness improved slightly. It's now a strengthened version of an agricultural scythe.)
Specialties:
- Sharpness Lv1 → Lv2 (An innate martial soul trait. After enhancement, sharpness improved slightly. He could now easily break through most defenses of soul masters at the same level.)
- Toughness Lv1 → Lv2 (Another innate trait. After enhancement, the hardness and resilience of the scythe increased slightly. Still not entirely beyond agricultural standards.)
One point remained.
The thirteenth life-and-death battle had just ended.
In the rest area, reserved only for soul masters with over ten wins, his teacher's wife was treating Fang Ling.
Her stitching technique was skilled and gentle.
A thousand-year soul ring glowed purple. The bluish-green petals of her Emerald Flower floated down like delicate butterfly wings.
As one petal landed softly on Fang Ling's chest, it quickly disappeared. A surge of life energy flowed into his body.
On his right chest was a shocking, ten-centimeter-long gash, deep enough to reveal bone.
The skin around it was pale and tight. Fang Ling breathed shallowly, unable to take deep breaths without unbearable pain.
This wound had come from his thirteenth opponent, a fellow close-combat soul master whose martial soul was a dagger.
He was at a disadvantage early in the fight. He'd considered retreating but noticed a rare opportunity to win.
He ultimately traded injury for victory.
Tears welled in his teacher's wife's eyes as she treated him, scolding him while working: "Why didn't you run?"
"I didn't run because I judged that I had a chance to win," Fang Ling replied cautiously, not daring to argue.
"You still got hurt. Your reflexes are fast, couldn't you have been more careful?"
"I couldn't, really. Even the teacher can tell." Fang Ling lowered his voice and looked toward Lin Tianyang for help.
Lin Tianyang tried to explain, "There was no better option. Even though that guy was slower to react, his attack speed and combat experience were superior."
"Using a non-lethal wound to secure the kill was a brilliant move. Even I might not have done it so cleanly."
"You shut up!" snapped Shuman Yun, his wife.
She wasn't someone who blindly criticized others in combat. Her scolding was to remind Fang Ling to fight with awareness, he still had a teacher and teacher's wife waiting for him.
Lin Tianyang smiled awkwardly and spread his hands toward his disciple.
His wife loved Fang Ling deeply, he couldn't say much more.
The room fell silent, save for Fang Ling's pained breathing.
"Was it worth it?" Shuman Yun asked again.
Life energy still lingered around Fang Ling's stitched wound.
"Of course it was, teacher's wife."
"In just one month, I've gone from level 12 to level 14. That's an incredible improvement, beyond what most people imagine."
"Even if it costs your life?" she pressed.
Fang Ling clenched his fists, his eyes bright and resolute.
"To hear the Way in the morning, I'd gladly die in the evening."
"I'm just a low-born soul master with innate level one power, with only a bit of battle talent."
"To achieve such growth means I've found the right path. How can I not feel grateful?"
Is it reasonable? Very much so.
There is great fear between life and death.
Lin Tianyang stood by, arms crossed, caught between admiration and concern.
Fang Ling's cultivation speed was incredible, but so was the danger. One slip and he could die.
He had a loving wife and strong background. He couldn't take the same risks as a lone wolf like Fang Ling.
Besides, not everyone had Fang Ling's passion for battle.
Too many life-and-death matches could drive someone mad from the pressure.
"This path is not an easy one," Lin Tianyang muttered.
"But it's the only path I have," Fang Ling replied with a calm smile. "My talent helps me in battle, not in cultivation speed."
"If we all return to dust eventually, I'd rather be a meteor blazing across the sky, shining in my own brilliant way, than fade in obscurity."
"You'd rather be a meteor?" Lin Tianyang echoed, a hint of sadness in his voice.
Those words nearly sealed this genius disciple's fate.
"Why such a look, teacher?" Fang Ling's gaze was clear, like a spring.
"I'm mourning your future death," Lin Tianyang replied heavily.
Fang Ling stayed silent.
The rate of point generation was too slow, most of it came through killing.
But reckless slaughter of soul beasts was banned by the Spirit Hall. The soul beast forest was also full of dangers. Graduating early to focus on battle meant a lack of knowledge.
He couldn't enter the forest alone. One mistake and no one would even know how he died.
And without background support, it would be easy to be labeled a fallen soul master, an easy target for Spirit Hall.
So killing soul beasts to level up was possible, but required strong backing and complete trust. The only person Fang Ling could think of was Dugu Bo, after curing his poison.
That would have to wait until he got to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
For now, killing people had its risks too. No matter how careful he was, accidents could still happen.
But what in life was truly safe?
The ability to level up through battle, ignoring bottlenecks, soul power, and gaining skills with half the effort, was already a huge advantage.
He couldn't ask for more.
Fang Ling fell silent. His posture seemed to grow taller. His eyes pierced the void, as if reaching some indescribable place.
His solemn voice echoed through the room:
"Teacher, I believe in myself. I won't give up."
"The road ahead is bright, though the path is rough. I just need to work a bit harder."
"I may not just be a fleeting meteor. Perhaps, in the end, I can become the sun that lights up the sky."
Lin Tianyang shook his head and sighed deeply.
"Then I look forward to it."
"I hope to see the day you shine on the world as the sun."
"It won't be far off," Fang Ling nodded gently, his smile full of confidence.
Once this growth phase passed, once he found Dugu Bo and gained his full trust, he wouldn't have to level up so secretively anymore.
Three days passed in a flash. With constant healing from Shuman Yun, his chest wound had long since recovered.
Fang Ling signed up for another match, but was told he had to wait.
He'd won too many times. In one-on-one life-or-death battles, it was hard to find a suitable opponent.
Few ever won over ten such matches, rose from Iron Arena rank to Bronze, and kept going.
Just as Fang Ling was considering trying one-vs-two matches in the gambling zone…
Two days later, the Great Spirit Arena staff found him.
"A match has been found."
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