Tyrant Sky Martial Soul

Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Generous Rewards_1

The first Martial Vein’s transformation from Qi to Gang was a success, providing Ling Xiao with precious experience.

Therefore, when he started refining the second Martial Vein, the process became much smoother.

After another three hours, not only had he successfully refined the second Martial Vein, but the Gang Qi in the first Martial Vein had also completely stabilized.

However, when he got to the third Martial Vein, he encountered a bit of a problem.

Because once the transformation of Qi to Gang in the third Martial Vein was successful, it would mean a breakthrough to the Martial Vein Quadruple Layer.

Therefore, the difficulty increased considerably.

”The Howling Moon Wolf has not been used yet; exchanging it for a few Gang Qi Pills should not be a problem. The breakthrough will definitely become easier then.”

Ling Xiao was not one to brood over a challenge, especially since the annual competition was drawing closer, and every bit of strength increase meant a stronger assurance of securing a good ranking.

Now, simply cultivating in seclusion was not yielding much profit; the Gang Qi Pills were essential.

These Gang Qi Pills were much more expensive than Breakthrough Pills and Qi Gathering Pills, as they were generally used by martial artists who had condensed Gang Qi.

Moreover, the materials needed for refining them must be of fourth level or above, coming from monster beasts imbued with Gang Qi.

He happened to have just what was needed.

With this thought, he stood up and walked out of the Practice Room.

But just as he was about to leave, a problem suddenly occurred to him.

Now that he had successfully transformed his Qi into Gang, this was his trump card for securing a good ranking in the annual competition—that must not be revealed carelessly.

He needed to do something to keep his Gang Qi concealed.

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, the Mountain and River Martial Soul responded.

A list appeared in the Mountain and River Map, displaying templates that he could show to others.

They ranged from Martial Vein First Layer to Martial Vein Ninth Layer.

With a surge of delight, Ling Xiao realized that with this, he no longer had to worry about others discerning his strength.

He hadn’t expected the Mountain and River Martial Soul to have such a considerate effect.

After some thought, he chose the Martial Vein Third Layer template without any Gang Qi.

He was currently at the peak of the Martial Vein Third Layer, a martial artist with Gang Qi in two veins.

The strength he would display in front of others, however, would be much less, which would deceive many people. At a critical moment, this would surely have a surprising effect.

You must know that in the world of martial artists, being able to conceal one’s strength is a very difficult task.

Although there were many martial arts techniques for hiding one’s power, they were not easy to practice, and their effects were quite limited.

But the martial artist template provided by the Mountain and River Martial Soul had no such concerns.

No need for cultivation, just a selection, and the strength shown to others would be what the template intended.

And as the Mountain and River Map’s level increased, the hiding effect would become even better.

Generally, it could conceal the strength of martial artists four levels higher than Ling Xiao.

For instance, given his current strength at the Martial Vein Third Layer Peak, martial artists below the Martial Vein Seventh Layer Peak wouldn’t be able to see through the real strength behind his template.

This was more than sufficient.

After adjusting the template, Ling Xiao went to the Pharmacy Hall.

As expected, the elder in the Pharmacy Hall really didn’t notice that he had already condensed Gang Qi.

Considering that the elder’s strength should be around the Martial Pulse Sixth Level at the least.

If he couldn’t see it, then assuredly none of the Elite Hall’s disciples could either.

”Gang Qi Pills are not in stock; it will take a few days to refine them.”

”No problem, elder, how many Gang Qi Pills can I exchange for this Howling Moon Wolf?”

”Probably three or four at most. You have to know; a single Gang Qi Pill costs at least ten thousand silver.”

”Alright then, I’ll trouble you, elder. I will come back in a few days to collect them.”

Ling Xiao knew that there was no use in feeling anxious, so it looked like he could only begin by participating in the annual competition. With his current strength, making it into the top five should not be a big problem.

After leaving the Pharmacy Hall, Ling Xiao went back to consolidate his cultivation level.

Until one day later, he received the registration notice for the annual competition.

”Who would have thought, kid, at first your grandfather was worried whether you would even qualify for this year’s annual competition. After all, participation requires a cultivation level of at least Martial Veins Second Layer. But now you’re already a Martial Artist at the Martial Veins Third Layer,”

Hong Qi said, looking at Ling Xiao with some excitement.

This child whom he had watched grow up was becoming more and more promising, which naturally filled him with joy.

”Don’t worry, Grandpa, this time, I’m definitely going to rank,” Ling Xiao reassured.

”Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. After all, there are quite a few disciples at the Martial Veins Third Layer. It’s enough if you can successfully become a disciple of the Elite Hall. Once you’re in, you’ll have hope for the future,” Hong Qi said, not wishing to burden Ling Xiao with too much pressure.

”Grandpa, I really won’t be satisfied unless I get into the top three this time,” Ling Xiao responded with a playful stick-out of his tongue and a made a face, then ran off.

That was his true thought. Ling Yixue and that Ling Yihang had somewhat mysterious strengths; he didn’t dare say he would surely beat them, but as for other people, he really wasn’t afraid.

If he possessed Gang Qi and couldn’t handle someone like Ling Feng at the Martial Veins Third Layer Peak, that would indeed be somewhat embarrassing.

The number of disciples coming to register for the annual competition was not small—estimated to be in the thousands if not tens of thousands—all Martial Artists above the Martial Veins Second Layer.

When Ling Xiao arrived at the registration area, it was already crowded, with many people standing around discussing animatedly.

Their faces were alight with excitement.

The annual competition was considered the best opportunity for lower-ranked disciples to leap over the Dragon Gate just like the proverbial carp.

If one could rank well in the annual competition, they would basically have the same opportunities as the direct descendants of the clan.

”Hehe, this time the Ling Family expanded its numbers last year, so the number of people participating in this year’s annual competition surpasses that of previous years by a large margin!” someone said.

”The numbers may be larger, but the rewards are more generous as well,” another chimed in.

”The rewards have been announced already, how come I didn’t know about it?” someone else questioned.

”You fool, Elder Brother Bright is a disciple of the Genius Hall, and this time he’s even a specially invited judge. Of course, he knows about the rewards,” a voice replied.

Elder Brother Bright?

A disciple of the Genius Hall?

Ling Xiao moved closer, wishing to know what sort of rewards this year’s annual competition would offer.

After all, this was a matter that concerned his future.

Disciples of the Genius Hall were generally under twenty years old, had reached at least the Martial Veins Third Layer Peak, and had condensed Gang Qi.

Clearly, this Elder Brother Bright was such a person.

Whereas the disciples of the Elite Hall were those under twenty years of age with a cultivation level of at least the Martial Veins Third Layer.

Generally speaking, even the weakest disciple of the Genius Hall was stronger than the best disciple of the Elite Hall.

However, occasionally, the Elite Hall would also have some extraordinary monsters.

Like that guy, Ling Yihang.

”Elder Brother Bright, what are the rewards? Come on, give us a heads up,” someone asked.

Elder Brother Bright smiled and said, ”In this year’s Elite Hall annual competition, anyone who enters the top one hundred will receive a reward of one hundred Qi Gathering Pills!”

”Those who enter the top fifty can access the third floor of the Book Collection Pavilion and choose one Advanced Martial Art! Plus, they’ll receive an extra Breakthrough Pill, a Heart-protecting Pill, and a Vessel-protecting Pill!”

”Those who enter the top twenty, in addition to the previous rewards, will be granted an additional chance to select an Advanced Martial Art, and the Breakthrough Pill, Heart-protecting Pill, and Vessel-protecting Pill quantities will all increase by one!”

Hearing this, many people were already unable to contain their excitement.

”That’s incredibly lavish, just making it into the top one hundred gives you a hundred Qi Gathering Pills!” someone exclaimed.

”If you can get into the top twenty, that’s even better—two sets of Advanced Martial Arts, two sets of pills for breakthroughs!” another added.

”Yeah, these are treasures that many in the Elite Hall and lesser disciples can only dream of,” a third person remarked.