In the past, Wind God Nie Feng, with his supreme Wind God Kick, reigned supreme in the martial arts world, becoming a legendary figure.
Now, Ling Xiao has already mastered the essence of the Wind God Kick. With only his profound strength to rise, he will recreate the might of the Wind God of yesteryear.
Infused with all his profound energy, his two kicks crushed the two guards, who were caught off guard.
The two guards, unable to defend themselves, suffered broken noses, vomited blood, and fell a long way.
Ling Xiao landed gracefully, his face slightly pale. He took a deep breath and said calmly to Ling Tao, "Third Uncle, let's go. I believe these two dogs won't dare bite again."
Ling Tao looked at the fallen guards on either side, glanced at Ling Xiao with a complicated expression, and then walked side by side with Ling Xiao into the inner courtyard.
As soon as he entered, Ling Xiao suddenly felt a sudden sense of enlightenment. This was his first time setting foot in the Ling family's inner courtyard. A straight avenue led straight ahead, surrounded by a profusion of flowers, each exuding a refreshing fragrance. Strange rockeries resembled galloping spirit beasts, while small bridges shimmered with flowing water, emitting a gentle, gurgling sound. Pavilions dotted the landscape, creating a scene reminiscent of the inner courtyard of an imperial palace, a scene of exquisite beauty and tranquility.
At the end of the avenue lay a large martial arts training ground, nearly a thousand square meters in size. A raised platform rose in the center, evidently the Ling family's competition arena, the site of annual family tests.
Directly ahead of the avenue stood a magnificent, seven-story attic, constructed from thousand-year-old redwood. Its wooden walls were intricately carved with spiritual patterns, creating a profoundly mysterious atmosphere, emitting a faint glow and a majestic and magnificent aura.
A master of formations would surely have spotted the formations surrounding this attic. Ling Xiao couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "The Ling family truly deserves to be the foremost of the three great families. Their inner courtyard is so elegantly and magnificently built."
In the martial arts training grounds, numerous young men between the ages of ten and sixteen were practicing martial arts under the guidance of the deacon.
Many of the older boys recognized Ling Xiao. Two years ago, he had been their idol. Now, their dreams of becoming an idol were shattered, and all they had left was a useless talent, ridiculed by others. "Isn't that Ling Xiao a disgrace to our family?"
"Yes, how could he even enter the inner courtyard? Such a useless talent is unworthy of even setting foot there."
"Isn't that right? This simply tarnishes our family's reputation. We don't need such useless talent."
"Don't talk about Brother Ling Xiao like that. He's my idol. Although he can't cultivate profound energy, I believe he can stand up again."
"What a joke! The Supreme Elder has already determined that he can no longer cultivate profound energy. He's destined to be a useless talent for the rest of his life."
On the martial arts arena, most of the teenagers pointed and criticized Ling Xiao, many even making harsh remarks. Only one little girl, dressed in pink, supported him.
This little girl was Ling Xiao's cousin, Ling Ling, the youngest daughter of his uncle Ling Jue. She was only eight years old, with an adorable, chubby face. The tall, muscular young man next to Ling Ling was Ling Zhi, one of Second Elder Ling Mo's grandsons. At fifteen, he had already reached the peak of the low-level Xuanzhe. In another six months, he would break through a small level and become a mid-level Xuanzhe. Such talent was considered exceptional in Meteorite City, significantly superior to Ling Rui, who was still a low-level Xuanzhe at eighteen.
"I forbid you from talking about Brother Ling Xiao! He's stronger than all of you!" Ling Ling shouted indignantly, raising her fist. She was now a third-level martial artist, and her clenched fist carried a certain power.
"Hmph, little girl, watch carefully! I'll teach your brother Ling Xiao a lesson!" Ling Zhi, shirtless, glanced at Ling Ling with disdain, then strode towards Ling Xiao. Although he was Ling Mo's grandson, he was still young and wasn't privy to every aspect of the Ling family's affairs. He only knew that Ling Xiao had been severely injured yesterday. He had no idea that Ling Xiao had already regained his profound strength, and that his strength had even increased by one point compared to yesterday. If he had known this, he probably wouldn't have come out looking for a fight.
"Hey, useless guy! You have no business entering our family's inner courtyard. Get out of here now, or I'll make you suffer!" Ling Zhi, with his arrogant personality, completely ignored Ling Tao and shouted directly at Ling Xiao.
An unwritten family rule prohibited members of the same generation from sparring and fighting, but as long as no one was killed, the older generation could not interfere. Therefore, Ling Zhi dared to disrespect Ling Xiao in front of Ling Tao, just like Ling Rui had simply ignored Ling Tao.
Ling Tao had already witnessed Ling Xiao's strength, so he didn't say much about Ling Zhi's provocation. He simply wanted to watch the show from the sidelines. Ling Xiao looked at him with amusement and said, "Are you talking about me?"
Ling Zhi, hands on his hips, said, "Besides you, who else in our Ling family is a loser? Your father is just as useless as you. You're a disgrace to our Ling family. I'd rather you bang your head against a wall and die."
Ling Zhi's words were sharp and cutting, causing Ling Tao to frown. The younger generation of the family gathered nearby to watch, as if they had already witnessed Ling Xiao's brutal beating at the hands of Ling Zhi.
Only Ling Ling clenched her fists and shouted, "Brother Ling Xiao isn't useless. Brother Ling Xiao, beat up Ling Zhi. He's so annoying."
Ling Xiao smiled at Ling Ling. "Little Ling'er, you're right. He looks as stupid as a cow. He's really annoying."
"Haha, Ling Zhi is just an ox," Ling Ling said innocently and adorably, immediately echoing Ling Xiao's words with a smile. "How dare you, you piece of shit, insult me? I'll teach you a lesson!" Ling Zhi roared, lunging at Ling Xiao. He concentrated his fists with all his might and smashed them down.
"If I say you're a bull, you're a bull. I didn't even mention your name, and yet you're taking it for granted. How foolish!" Ling Xiao scorned Ling Zhi's two incoming punches. Strength for strength, Ling Xiao was no match for a Xuanist, but his speed was unmatched by even high-level Xuanists. Only a Xuanist could threaten him.
With his words, Ling Xiao crossed paths, leaving only a streak of destruction.
Ling Zhi's fists rammed into the debris, instantly shattering it. He cried out, "Not good!"
But it was too late. Ling Xiao had already raised his palm from behind.
"Flowing like water and clouds!"
"Pah!"
Ling Xiao's palm landed squarely on the back of Ling Zhi's head, sending him flying several meters and knocking him unconscious. Suddenly, all the young men in the training grounds stared at Ling Xiao in disbelief. Before they knew what had happened, they saw Ling Zhi being knocked flying, seemingly unable to get back up.
Is this really a useless talent who can't cultivate?
They all wondered. The final answer was no. Ling Xiao was not only not useless, but even stronger than them. Ling Zhi, a low-level peak-level Xuan practitioner, was defeated with a single palm strike. Even a Xuan practitioner just entering the mid-level wouldn't necessarily possess such strength!
Only the deacon teaching the child martial arts and Ling Tao noticed something suspicious. Both of them wondered, "This kid's footwork is truly bizarre!"
"Wow, Brother Ling Xiao, you're amazing!" Ling Ling exclaimed joyfully, leaping to her feet. Ling Xiao took two steps forward, scooped the adorable girl into his arms, and kissed her forehead lovingly, saying, "Nothing is better than my little Ling'er. She's already a third-level martial artist at such a young age. If she keeps working hard, she'll soon become a Xuanzhe."
Ling Ling blushed softly and said, "Brother Ling Xiao, you're so mean! You stole my first kiss! What if I can't get married?"
Little Ling Ling's words immediately made Ling Xiao and Ling Tao burst into laughter, secretly sighing at the little girl's precociousness.
"Alright, let's go! Don't keep the clan members waiting," Ling Tao said, patting little Ling Ling's head.
After putting little Ling Ling down, Ling Xiao and Ling Tao finally entered the inner courtyard's attic.
In the attic, nine elders seemed to have been waiting. Sitting at the very top was Ling Xiao's grandfather, Ling Cang, the patriarch of the Ling family. He wore a dark golden robe, his long hair tied back, streaked with gray. The faint wrinkles on his thin, old face made him appear kind, but his eyes held an inexplicable authority that made one hesitate to look directly at him.
Below his right sat the Second Elder, Ling Mo. His expression was stern. One hand rested on the armrest, his fingers tapping the wooden chair repeatedly, making a crisp "da...da..." sound.
Below his left sat the Third Elder, Ling Yuan. His body was as fat as a ball, his features squeezed so tightly together that it was difficult to see. Only through the slits of his eyes shone a fierce gleam as he squinted at Ling Xiao.
Below Ling Mo and Ling Yuan were the Fourth Elder, the Fifth Elder...
Ling Tao bowed to Ling Cang, who sat in the high seat, and said, "Patriarch, Ling Xiao has been brought here." He then retreated to the bottom corner and stood expressionlessly. Although Ling Tao was Ling Cang's son, the Ling family's strict hierarchy meant he had no place in the inner courtyard attic until he became an elder.
Ling Xiao, like Ling Tao, saluted and said, "Greetings to the clan leader and the elders."
"Hmph!" Fifth Elder Ling Yan snorted unseemly, and a powerful pressure descended upon Ling Xiao.
Ling Cang, seated in the upper position, frowned, then relaxed, making no attempt to stop Ling Yan's actions.
Suddenly, Ling Xiao felt an inexplicable force pressing down from all sides, causing his breathing to become rapid and difficult. His body felt as if it were being crushed by a huge rock. If he relaxed even a little, he would be on his knees.
A surge of rage rose within Ling Xiao. Damn it! From the outside until now, he'd been subjected to repeated, inexplicable rejection and provocation. This was truly intolerable. Ling Xiao gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot. His lips were bitten, bleeding. His body was bent under the pressure, but he persisted. One hand rested on the giant dragon sword behind him, ready to draw his sword in a life-or-death struggle.
"Enough!" Second Elder Ling Mo, standing above the Fifth Elder, waved his hand, dispelling the pressure from Fifth Elder Ling Yan.
With the pressure gone, Ling Xiao felt a sense of relief. A mouthful of blood clung to his stomach, but his stubborn nature suppressed it. Ling Xiao sneered at the Fifth Elder, "After beating the younger, here comes the older. Fifth Elder, are you bullying the younger?"
Ling Yan, unaware of Ling Rui's humiliation by Ling Xiao, immediately said in displeasure, "What do you mean by that? I was simply following the elders' instructions to test whether you could truly cultivate profound energy."
"Oh, I see. I was wrong about blaming the Fifth Elder," Ling Xiao said with a slight bow. "I thought the Fifth Elder was speaking up for your grandson, but I believe the Fifth Elder is a man of few opinions and won't easily shield anyone who harms the clan leader." Disrespectful, right?
Ling Yan didn't listen carefully, but nodded immediately, saying, "Of course."
Ling Xiaoxiao said, "That's good." Then he looked up and spoke loudly to the assembled elders, "Someone just insulted me in public at the door. It's not a big deal. I, Ling Xiao, have grown numb to it over the past two years and don't take it personally. But I would like to ask you elders: what is the penalty for a member of the Ling family who speaks disrespectfully to the clan leader?"
Ling Xiao's stern words drew puzzling glances from the assembled elders.
Finally, the Fourth Elder, Ling Wei, who was in charge of punishment, declared, "A member of the Ling family who disrespects the clan leader shall have their profound strength revoked and be expelled from the Ling family."