Cao Zhao erupted in happiness, he couldn't be more proud of his son.
"My son is the future god of this land! Zhao Sect's Martial Arts will soar once again! Urgh! My ribs!"
"Careful, Master Cao!" Xiao Wu caught his left arm, and kept the pressure on his wounded abdomen.
"I am okay. Just… bring me to him."
"Slowly and steady, first Uncle!" Mei Lin propped his body as she placed his armpits around her shoulder.
"Ling…" Cao Zhao couldn't hold his tears any longer. "Congratulations, Ling. The bright future awaits you. However, you will walk upon a treacherous path."
Ling clenched his fist upon seeing his father's grievous wound. "Why are you wounded, father? Did someone do this to you?"
"A child must not meddle with their parent's business. You only need to study hard! Be stronger and smarter than anyone else. I believe your mother would also wish the same."
Upon looking at the wound, Ling was aware that the wound wasn't inflicted by any ordinary beast. The cut was very clean, narrow and yet so deep.
"I understand, father." said Ling, putting back his robe properly after he stopped the bleeding on his wrist.
Li Bingbing was touched upon seeing a single father who would put his own life at stake just to meet his son. 'Who would've thought, the kid that knocked on my door, now has become a proper man and a father, no less.'
"The Soul Aptitude test is now over! The Royal Academy had enough quota for this year! For those unlucky children may try again next year!" exclaimed Li Bingbing.
"Eehh?!"
The sound of disappointment reverberated in the hall but Li Bingbing paid no heed for their complaint.
This makes the parents of the rejected children lashed their rage towards Cao Zhao.
"Cao Zhao, you bastard! You must have put something inside your son's food!"
"Yes, that's right! How could a five years old boy have Level 10 Soul Aptitude? This is outrageous!"
"Cao Zhao! Give me your secret and I will reward you, handsomely! Otherwise, hehe. Don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Welp… I think that's my cue. You two take care of Ling, I am going to go back, and have some rest."
"Let me fetch you the carriage, first uncle!" Mei Lin dashed towards the exit to call Ho Rong and his henchmen.
Li Bingbing couldn't help but to shake her head, millions of years of human's history, and yet their brains were as smart as monkeys!
"Master Cao Zhao, do you perhaps need some medical assistance? Our healer might be able to help with your wound. I am afraid that these monkeys won't let you off, given your state right now."
"Hahaha! They won't lay a hand on me. Not even a strand of my hair. Thus, I must decline your sincere offer, Li Bingbing *Shizun! It's been a very long time since the last time we met." Cao Zhao knelt before her, while cupping his fist respectfully.
[TL Note: Shizun: Great Teacher. Same with Shifu/Sifu. But this one has more feminim sound, in my opinion.]
The crowds were in utter shock, they would've ever expected that Cao Zhao was actually Li Bingbing's disciple.
They refrained from acting rashly since offending Cao Zhao would be equal with offending Li Bingbing, the Vice-dean, who uphold the law and order in the Royal Academy. And of course, they didn't want to summon the wrath of the Royal Academy's dean.
Amidst this tensed up situation, Mei Lin barged in. "First Uncle! Your carriage is here! Let us go home and tend your wound!"
"I'll be there." He says, picking up something from his pocket. "Here is my gift for you."
"What is this strange box? It seems like a very expensive item. What if someone targets me later. I can't possess such a valuable item, father."
"Nah, it's okay. You can open the content once you reach the Ninth Stage Body Foundation Realm. Do you get it?"
"Yes, father."
"Good!" Li Bingbing *Shizun, I leave my son under your care. Please teach him well!"
"Fret not, Disciple Cao. Your son would be under my tutelage."
"Thank you very much! This disciple will leave this place."
Xiao Wu knelt beside Ling, giving him a last hug before they parted away. "Farewell, young master. I will miss you very much."
"Rest assured, Xiao Wu. I will write you a letter every month. Please take care of my father."
With that said, Xiao Wu, Mei Lin and Cao Zhao left the building and headed back to Tien Zhu mountain range.
Li Bingbing was satisfied with very promising disciples that she sorted. Out of thousands of participants, there were hundred kids with unique character and ability.
"Very well… Those who were accepted, please follow me. I will show you around while explaining the rules of the Royal Academy.
From many rules that she mentioned, there was one particular rule that intrigued him.
Ling was certain that many of the noble kids used this rule as a loophole to exploit the disciples who came from common families.
After that, these freshmans were guided to their temporary dorm to prepare themselves for the Sorting Ceremony next week.
Ling threw his body onto the bed, which was particularly smaller than his room in Zhao Sect's Pavilion.
"Sigh… This academy is so fucking huge! It took us a whole freaking day to see everything! Having a small body like this is really a drag!"
Ling exhaled a long sigh. "Alright. Since I am far from home, I can practice my Blood Iron Spear Art. Let's see if I can still master it!"
Ling sat cross legged on the floor concentrating his mind to recall his past.
Blood Iron Spear Art was a devastating Martial Arts which allows the user to manipulate the blood of living beings, materialize a weapon by hardening the life-essence and made various weapons from it.
In a sense, it allows the user to forge a weapon out of their own blood or others.
The higher their cultivation level, the harder and sturdier their weapon. Legend has it, this Blood Iron Spear Art was able to make a commoner to attain their godhood in the ancient era whereas iron ores were scarce, hard to produce and expensive to obtain.
Ling, however, preferred a spear as his main weapon.
He bites his finger tip and lets the blood flow. He drew the spell circle while imagining the shape of the weapon that he wants to summon.
This Art was a mix of many methods of cultivation, forging, martial arts and sorcery.
After a while, Ling had attained the revelation, the blood that he spilled accumulated in mid air and materialized the head of a spear.
The size was small, about the size of his palm, since he doesn't want to put his life in danger. Crimson in color and emitting glints of ferocity.
"Ha! It seems like that cocky little bird ain't that petty after all. With this ability, my path to attain immortality would be a smooth sailing one!"