Ling Tian Sword God

Hundred Thousand Mountains.

In the following month, Ling Chen started with the most basic principles, teaching Nina fundamental martial arts, methods for True Qi cultivation, and Boxing, step by step.

In truth, Ling Chen only taught her the most basic cultivation methods. However, to Nina, it was an intriguing novelty. After all, within the Barbarian Tribe, no one cultivated True Qi. Therefore, even the most rudimentary teachings were unheard of here.

To Ling Chen’s surprise, Nina’s talent far exceeded his initial expectations. Had she been in the Five Kingdoms, she would be considered a prodigy.

Nina was quick to learn whatever Ling Chen taught. She had progressed from a complete novice to a Seventh Realm warrior.

Of course, this cultivation had cost Ling Chen a considerable amount of resources. Although it pained him somewhat, Ling Chen needed Nina’s help to acquire the Deer Reviving Grass. If Nina failed at the so-called power tournament and didn’t place among the top three, the difficulty of obtaining the Deer Reviving Grass would significantly increase.

Ling Chen discovered from Nina that in the Barbaric Temple, not only were there Barbarian Tribe Priests with strength comparable to the Sky Apex Realm but also a powerful protective Array Formation.

Only the Barbarian Tribe’s Priests could manipulate the Array Formation. Outsiders had no opportunity to enter the Temple at all.

During this period, Ling Chen used his free time to scout the vicinity of the Barbaric Temple. He realized there were no opportunities to infiltrate, and it was even difficult to get close.

Therefore, to enter the Barbaric Temple, Ling Chen would likely have to use subtle methods, as force would be ineffective.

With the passing of a month, the so-called power tournament quietly approached.

”Just remember what I’ve taught you. Once you step onto the stage, don’t be nervous, just act normally,” Ling Chen advised Nina ahead of the power tournament’s opening.

The martial arts he passed on to Nina were all superior techniques. Although they were not high-grade—all being Human Level—they were the finest of their kind. For a warrior at Nina’s level, they were more than sufficient.

Practicing more advanced martial arts would be challenging.

”Alright.”

Nina nodded and jogged towards the village.

Ling Chen paused for a moment before also moving stealthily into the Barbarian Tribe’s village.

The Barbarian Tribe’s houses were mainly built of wood, with simple, square, and unpretentious designs. Their corners, front doors, and wall edges were adorned with the bones of ferocious animals; the more savage the beast, the more common its remains. This appeared to be a Barbarian Tribe custom, a testament to the householder’s bravery.

Barbarian Tribe members, both male and female, mostly possessed strong physiques. Women generally stood over 1.8 meters tall, while men often surpassed 2 meters, each resembling an iron tower.

The power tournament was held at the center of the village, where a vast, tremendously spacious square stretched a thousand meters across.

The square was already teeming with members of the Barbarian Tribe. On a high platform sat a group of Barbarian Tribe powerhouses. Among them was a man about 2.2 meters tall. He wore plate armor and a wolf-pelt cap, exuding an imposing aura.

This man was the Clan Leader of the Barbarian Tribe—Wutugu, Nina’s father.

The power tournament was a grand annual event for the Barbarian Tribe. Today, however, he couldn’t feel any happiness because his daughter, Nina, would also be participating. Given Nina’s innately weak Qi, even if she participated, she would likely not pass the first round.

This meant his daughter would lose her eligibility to succeed him as Clan Leader.

To the Barbarian Tribe, bloodline was crucial. A strong bloodline conferred noble status. Conversely, insufficient strength meant forfeiting one’s bloodline—this was precisely his concern.

Come to think of it, I’ve barely seen the girl for over a month, Wutugu mused, scanning his surroundings. He shook his head and sighed. For us Barbarians, an inherently weak constitution is a fatal flaw, virtually guaranteeing a bleak future.

”Wutugu, why hasn’t your daughter arrived yet? Could she be too afraid of embarrassing herself to show up?” a burly Barbarian man suddenly jeered.

”Alagu, don’t talk nonsense. My daughter, Wutugu’s daughter, is no coward.” Wutugu’s expression darkened.

Alagu was his rival, long coveting the position of Clan Leader but never finding the opportunity to seize it. With Nina bound to fail in this power tournament, Wutugu knew he would likely face Alagu’s suppression and ridicule.

”Hmph! Fathering such a useless daughter, yet he still dares to put on the airs of a Clan Leader before me,” Alagu sneered inwardly. Just wait. Sooner or later, this position will be mine. He said no more, but a dark glint flickered in his eyes. In his opinion, Wutugu wouldn’t hold the position for much longer.

”Clan Leader, the tournament is about to start, and Nina hasn’t arrived yet. Should we send someone to find her?” one of the Barbarian Tribe Elders asked.

”Forget it. If the girl doesn’t even have the courage to face failure, she’s not qualified to participate in this power tournament.” Wutugu shook his head, though Nina’s absence still disappointed him.

Just then, a petite figure appeared in the square like a whirlwind, stirring up a cloud of dust before coming to a halt.

”Nina’s here! Let the tournament begin!” Wutugu declared, a smile touching his lips. At least Nina had come. Even if she loses, she mustn’t lose her fighting spirit, he thought.

As a loud rumble resounded, Nina and a group of Barbarian Tribe youths entered the venue.

”Nina, I didn’t think you’d dare to come. If I were you, I certainly wouldn’t have shown up and made a fool of myself,” taunted a chubby Barbarian girl nearby.

”We’ll see who makes a fool of whom,” Nina retorted with a cold smile.

This chubby girl was Zhuoma, Alagu’s daughter. Alagu had coveted the Clan Leader’s position for a long time, and Zhuoma was cut from the same cloth, often using her superior strength to bully Nina.

”Still talking tough? Don’t think you’re special just because you’re the Clan Leader’s daughter. This is the Beast-fighting Arena, where fists, not status, do the talking! Just wait, I’ll beat you until you’re spitting teeth, and then you’ll learn who truly deserves status and position!” Zhuoma sneered.

”Then we’ll just have to see,” Nina replied, full of confidence. This past month, she had undergone demonic training under Ling Chen’s guidance. He had spared no effort in teaching her, and she was now confident that her current strength was comparable to that of the Barbarian Tribe prodigies her age.

”That useless Nina, since when did she become so confident?”

”Yeah, she never used to talk like this. Could her father have helped her improve her strength?”

”What’s the use? Trash is trash. Her innate aptitude is too poor; she can never catch up to us, no matter what.”

A group of Barbarian youths muttered amongst themselves.