"Twenty hits, to ring this massive The Bell Of Heavenly Dragon! Huh! I shall accept the challenge!"
Ling began to calculate the necessary force in order to complete the task.
"With the weight of the spear, combined with the Starfall Strike and my current strength, I could produce about a thousand Pounds of Force! Just enough to ring this stupid bell!"
Without any doubt, Ling lunged forward and lifted his spear above his head. The instant Qi Fluctuation surprised even Fang Zheng himself.
Arrghh!
Duooong!!!
The massive bell rang aloud, the sound vibration caused the ground to shake violently as if there was an earthquake.
If it wasn't for Fang Zheng's power that suppressed the vibration, the mansion would have flattened to the ground.
Duongg! Duong! Duuoong!
Ling hit the massive bell as if it was a training ragdoll!
Within that short period of time, Ling had completed his daily quota to ring the bell twenty times per day.
"Brother Ling is so amazing!" Qiqi cheering merrily on the side.
Meanwhile, Fang Zheng couldn't help but to hide his proud smile. "This kid is an utter monster! Huh! Rather than refining his soul into a pill, I can use him to further increase the fame of the Royal Academy!"
Ling's chest heaving hard, as his body was aching to breath the fresh air.
"Are you okay, brother Ling?" Qiqi rushed to his side almost immediately.
"Yes, I am fine. You should focus on your training, Qiqi."
"I already completed my daily task, so it's okay."
"Eh?" Ling glanced at Fang Zheng to verify her words.
Fang Zheng nodded to confirm him. "You might not notice it, but she has completed her daily task when you are too focused on yourself."
"That's very incredible of you, Qiqi."
"Hehe… I am nothing compared to your strength, Brother Ling."
"So… what is your cultivation stage right now?"
"Fifth Stage Body Foundation! Same as yours, brother!"
Ling was surprised that Qiqi was able to cultivate at the same speed as his.
He had been training for the sixth month in a secluded area and this little girl was on par with him in terms of talent.
By this simple fact, Ling could summarize why she's being taken as Fang Zhen's disciple. 'She must have Level 10 Soul Aptitude just like me!'
Fang Zheng clapped his palm and the two ancient artifacts were recalled to his Spatial Ring.
"You two may be dismissed and have some rest. I will give you some guidance to further strengthen your body tomorrow."
"Thank you, Shifu!"
***
Later that day, Ling and Qiqi had completed their daily tasks and were called by Fang Zheng to the training hall.
Inside the training hall, Fang Zheng sat leisurely, resting his head with one arm.
"We are here, Shifu." The two kids bowed and cupped their fists.
"Come in." He says. "I have something that both of you must do."
Qiqi and Ling looked at each other, they completely had no idea what's inside Fang Zheng's thoughts.
"Ready your stance and fight each other as if your life depends on it. I want to see the fruit of your training thus far."
Qiqi, perplexed and terrified, as a delicate little girl, spilling another person's blood never crossed her mind.
"Understood."
Ling, however, as someone who had fought countless battles, stood firmly. Brandishing his spear towards Qiqi.
"Get up and draw your sword!"
"But— I don't want to hurt you."
Ling showed no mercy at all. He kicked Qiqi's head, causing her to skid on the wooden floor. In Ling's heart and mind, she's not his martial sister in this fight. But an enemy that he had to vanquish.
"Draw your sword! Or the tip of my spear would be the last thing that you see in your life."
Ling's words ignited the flame of courage inside her heart. Her gaze changed, the pupil of her eyes changed its shape. Resembling the eyes of the beast kin and set her heart ablaze with fury.
"That's more like it. Attack me as if your life depends on it!"
Ling's grip tightened around his Spear, a weapon honed from the finest materials and infused with spiritual energy.
His lean frame exuded agility and strength, his eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. He took a deep breath, centering himself, and readied his stance.
Qiqi, her delicate figure clad in flowing robes, held her Soft Bone Sword with grace and elegance. Crafted from rare dragon bones, the sword hummed with latent power, responding to her touch.
Her eyes sparkled with an unwavering resolve as she met Ling's gaze, ready to prove her mettle.
Without further hesitation, Ling lunged forward, his spear whistling through the air with astonishing speed.
His movements were swift and precise, the culmination of years spent perfecting his art. Each thrust, each parry, carried an unyielding determination to surpass his limits.
Qiqi, her eyes gleaming with an ethereal light, matched Ling's ferocity with a grace that defied her age.
Her Soft Bone Sword danced in her hands, the delicate movements leaving behind a trail of afterimages. She weaved between Ling's attacks with uncanny agility, her strikes landing with the precision of a master.
Their clash unfolded like a mesmerizing symphony. Sparks flew as metal met metal, the sound reverberating through the courtyard. Each movement, each strike, told a story of their dedication and training, their spirits intertwining in a mesmerizing display of martial prowess.
Fang Zheng watched the battle unfold, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He had seen potential within his disciples, and now, as their weapons clashed and their energies entwined, he witnessed their growth firsthand. With every clash, every parry, they honed their skills, awakening the dormant strength within.
Both of them saw the opening, determined to end this fight and emerged as the victor. They aimed for each other's throat.
As the battle reached its zenith, Fang Zheng stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. With a single gesture, he halted the disciples, the tip of their weapons frozen mid-air when they were an inch from each other's neck.
"Halt! I have seen enough." said Fang Zhen.
Ling and Qiqi stood poised, their faces flushed with exertion and a newfound understanding of their capabilities.
"My disciples," Fang Zheng's voice carried a gentle tone, brimming with pride. "You have fought valiantly, tested your limits, and emerged stronger. Remember, the world of martial arts is unforgiving, the strong are respected and weaklings are culled and slaughtered like a herd of sheep. Henceforth, I hope both of you get the lesson of this fight."
Ling and Qiqi nodded, their eyes shining with newfound wisdom. The battle of life and death had transformed into a testament of their growth, and their young hearts beat with gratitude for their master's guidance.
"I learned a lot from this fight, Shifu!" Qiqi bowed at him. "Also, I can't thank you enough for the valuable lesson, Brother Ling."
Ling gave a little smile, patting her head gently after that fight. "Likewise."