The Luo family's inner courtyard was filled with majestic buildings, resembling a deep castle in the night.
Luo Tianzheng paused in the most imposing attic. Suddenly, several dark shadows flitted on either side of the attic before disappearing into the night again.
Suddenly, a deep voice rang from between the attics, "What brings you here, Zheng'er?"
Luo Tianzheng bowed respectfully at the door and said, "I have something to report."
As soon as he finished speaking, the door swung open of its own accord.
Luo Tianzheng, accustomed to this, immediately stepped into the attic.
In the room, he saw an elderly man in a gray robe sitting upright, a teacup in hand, a book beside him. The man was of remarkable appearance, of medium build, with a straight back and no trace of stoop. His eagle-like eyes gleamed with a gleaming light. This old man was none other than Luo Xiangming, the patriarch of the Luo family. Sixty-six years old, he was one of the few masters in Meteorite City, reportedly already at the Spiritual Master level.
"What's so important that you're rushing here to report this evening?" Luo Xiangming asked calmly.
So, Luo Tianzheng briefly recounted what Luo Biao had told him.
"Oh, that kid from the Ling family can actually cultivate again. That's great," Luo Xiangming replied casually, seemingly unconcerned.
"Father, if he can just cultivate again, it's nothing, but..." Luo Tianzheng said hesitantly.
"Just what? Just say it," Luo Xiangming said, raising his eyes. "But Biao'er said Ling Xiao defeated Shuang'er with just one sword strike, and he did it with Biao'er's help. This shows the power of his sword. Also, I heard Biao'er say that Ling Xiao isn't even a Xuan-level practitioner, at most an eighth-level martial artist. With this one move, he was able to defeat a mid-level Xuan-level practitioner and even force a high-level Xuan-level practitioner to retreat. Could there be something..." Luo Tianzheng clarified.
"Are you trying to say that the Ling family kid has some amazing Xuan skills?" Luo Xiangming interrupted.
"That's exactly what I meant," Luo Tianzheng replied.
"Do you think Ling Xiao possesses Qing-level techniques?" Luo Xiangming frowned slightly.
The Xuanling Continent's Xuan skills are divided into nine major levels: gray, yellow, cyan, green, blue, red, purple, brown, and black.
Luo Tianzheng nodded without saying anything. "The Ling family only has one copy of the clan-protecting Azure-grade Golden Spear Scripture, yet that Ling family kid is using sword techniques. Could it be that the Ling family possesses two copies of Azure-grade profound techniques? Impossible. If that were the case, they would never teach it to a younger generation, letting them show off. Could it be that that kid has gained another opportunity?" Luo Xiangming speculated.
"I think it's possible. Two years ago, the Ling family's Grand Elder confirmed that that kid couldn't rebuild his profound strength, yet now he's an eighth-level martial artist. This is truly intriguing," Luo Tianzheng pondered.
Both of them were silent for a moment before Luo Xiangming said, "You can leave first. I'll handle this matter myself."
As Luo Tianzheng was about to leave, Luo Xiangming added, "Shuang'er seems particularly fond of that kid. Ask her to visit the Ling family more often when she's free."
Luo Tianzheng's eyes lit up, and he nodded before leaving the attic. After Luo Tianzheng left, Luo Xiangming said calmly, "Fengying, go check on the Ling family kid. Don't alert anyone. Report anything immediately."
A cold voice rang out from a corner of the attic, "Yes, Clan Leader."
...
In the basement of one of the Ling family's quiet courtyards.
The family meeting had just concluded when Fifth Elder Ling Yan and a tall, thin old man quietly arrived to discuss a secret.
The old man was surprisingly Second Elder Ling Mo. They were brothers, and their status within the family was second only to Clan Leader Ling Cang. In some respects, Ling Mo's power even surpassed Ling Cang's.
As the leader of the three major families in Meteorite City, the Ling family was formidable, but everyone knew it wasn't as united as it appeared. Second Elder Ling Mo and Fifth Elder Ling Yan were the disruptors.
Ling Mo and Ling Yan were both sons of the previous generation of the clan. After the previous generation passed away, Ling Mo didn't become Clan Leader as he had hoped, but was instead replaced by Ling Cang. This incident has always rankled the brothers. Whenever Ling Cang exercised his power as clan leader, the two brothers would often argue with him, and many in the clan supported them. This weakened Ling Cang's authority as clan leader.
Take the case of Ling Zhan, for example. Ling Zhan was Ling Cang's second son, once hailed as a genius of his generation. However, after being deposed, he was unexpectedly relegated to living in the most remote courtyard of the Ling family, without even a single servant. This was all due to the manipulation of Ling Mo and Ling Yan. Otherwise, given Ling Cang's status, he would have provided them with a more tranquil and elegant home.
This shows the depth of the resentment between the Ling Mo brothers and Ling Cang.
"Brother, what do you say we should do about this?" Ling Yan asked immediately upon entering the secret room.
"Look at how anxious you are! Even if that little bastard can regain his profound strength, he's still just a mere martial artist. Why are you so anxious?" Ling Mo waved his hand and snorted. "I, I'm just worried about Kuang'er," Ling Yan said unhappily.
"Don't worry about that. Kuang'er has already broken through to the Xuanshi level. When the family test comes, he'll definitely take first place. By then, it's a foregone conclusion that the Grand Elder will accept Kuang'er as his last disciple," Ling Mo said in a low voice.
"Alas, a month ago, Rui'er failed to defeat him and instead allowed him to rise again. That little bastard is truly resilient," Ling Yan sighed.
"Hmph, I haven't even settled accounts with you about this yet. You're truly foolish. Knowing that the boy couldn't possibly rebuild his Xuanli, you left them both to fend for themselves. Luckily, the boy didn't die this time, otherwise... hmph, Ling Cang would never let you off," Ling Mo snorted coldly.
"Is he really going to fight me to the death over a piece of trash?" Ling Yan said disapprovingly. "He won't fight you to the death. He'll just make your grandson disappear," Ling Mo said with a hint of disappointment. After a pause, he added, "Alright, go back first. I'll handle that little bastard myself."
Ling Yan wanted to say something more, but after a moment's hesitation, he sighed and left the secret room.
"Hmph, thinking of turning things around? No way!" After Ling Yan left, Ling Mo's eyes were filled with murderous intent.
The Li Family in the north of the city.
Li Guanghan waited all night for Ling Xiao on the road leading back to the Ling family's residence, but there was no sign of him. Finally, he had to give up on the attempt and rushed back to his family home to report the situation to his father.
Thinking of Ling Xiao's sword move, Li Guanghan couldn't help but shudder. Ling Xiao was still an eighth-level martial artist. It seemed that performing that move would require all of his profound energy. With his high-level profound practitioner strength, he might be able to block it, but he would certainly be seriously injured. What if Ling Xiao ever broke through to the profound practitioner level? Wouldn't that make him invincible among his peers?
Thinking of this, he was determined to do everything in his power to get the clan to eliminate this potential rival. If he were to succeed, Meteorite City would be dominated by the Ling family alone.
When Li Guanghan approached his father, Li Yuanhua, to report, Li Yuanhua already knew everything.
Li Yuanhua said to Li Guanghan, "I know everything that happened at the restaurant yesterday. You don't need to worry about it. The clan has already made arrangements. As for the marriage with the Luo family, let's put it aside for now. Luo Xiangming, that old fox, might not look down on our Li family. Go into seclusion immediately and strive to break through to the profound practitioner level within six months. A year later, in the three-family competition, our Li family must not fall behind."
Li Guanghan didn't waste any more words. He nodded and turned to leave. ...
The sun was shining brightly, and it was noon.
In an unassuming inn, Ling Xiao was sipping wine and enjoying a small plate of snacks, accompanied by a beautiful woman, oblivious to the world outside.
"Here, have a chicken leg. You look so thin, you'd look better if you gained some weight," Ling Xiao said, placing a leg into Bai Yuxi's bowl.
After last night's meditation and this morning's, Ling Xiao felt much better, his complexion showing a bit more color.
"Thank you, young master," Bai Yuxi's face flushed with shyness. Her bright eyes gazed at the plump, juicy chicken leg, and an indescribable sweetness welled up in her heart.
Last night, Bai Yuxi had stayed with Ling Xiao all night, and in the morning, she had developed a high fever. Fortunately, Ling Xiao noticed her in time and passed a trace of profound energy to her, allowing her to sleep and her fever to subside.
"Why are you being so polite? What's your relationship? You're not allowed to be so polite anymore, understand?" Ling Xiao said after taking a bite of the food. Hearing Ling Xiao's affectionate words, Bai Yuxi's beautiful eyes could no longer help but mist up.
Ling Xiao panicked at this and quickly soothed, "Yuxi, what's wrong? Ahem." Ling Xiao's excitement stirred the pain of his wound, and he couldn't help but cough twice.
Bai Yuxi hurriedly stood up, walked over to Ling Xiao, and patted his back. "Master, I'm fine. I... I'm just so touched. I used to think my mother was the only one in the world who treated me best, but now I realize... I realize that Master is also genuinely kind to me. I really didn't mean to worry you."
Bai Yuxi, like a child who had done something wrong, explained while holding Ling Xiao's back. She was afraid that Ling Xiao would cause her pain again and make her very sad.
"Silly girl, you're not only my sister, but also my... my friend. If I don't treat you well, who else can I treat well? Okay, I'm fine. Eat quickly. We need to go back, or else Father and Mother will be very worried." Ling Xiao smiled, scratching Bai Yuxi's nose. Bai Yuxi nodded obediently, then returned to her seat and began to eat.
After leaving the inn, the two men first went to the tailor shop where they had ordered clothes the previous day to pick up their clothes before heading home.
On their way home, Ling Xiao had a vague feeling that someone was following him, but when he turned back, he saw no one. He couldn't help but curse himself for being too paranoid.
However, just as they left the market intersection, danger approached.
A sharp aura approached from behind, its presence already firmly locked onto Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao had sensed something was amiss and was already on guard.
When the sudden attack came, the greatsword in Ling Xiao's hand reacted instantly.
"Clang!" The weapons collided, and Ling Xiao was instantly sent flying.
"Young Master!" Bai Yuxi was horrified and immediately ran towards Ling Xiao.