"Awake, are you?"
When Ling Xiao again opened his eyes, he saw his aged grandfather.
White-haired, emaciated, his face as withered as dried-up wood.
"Alas, why be so stubborn? Just apologize, and it's done! Come, drink your medicine!"
The old man sighed and brought over the bitter herbal broth.
From his grandfather's words, Ling Xiao heard concern and also a sense of helplessness.
"Heh, it's nothing; it's not the first time. I won't back down," he chuckled.
Ling Xiao laughed and said, "Once I break through to the second layer of the Martial Veins, I'll settle the score with that Ling Chong!"
"You rascal,"
the old man sighed. Although Ling Xiao was a child he had found, he had always considered him his own grandson.
Seeing Ling Xiao hurt, it especially pained him.
Ling Xiao grabbed the already cooled herbal medicine and drank it down in one go, revealing a smile on his face.
Actually, his refusal to submit wasn't just due to his stubborn nature; there was another reason.
Ever since he had practiced that incomplete cultivation technique, his body's recovery speed had become exceptionally fast.
Just like today, he had been knocked out several times before, but each time he had woken up in less than half an hour and recovered most of his strength. A little herbal broth, and he was almost completely healed.
"The Ling Family sent someone over just now."
As the old man spoke, he seemed to hesitate.
"Grandfather, please just tell me. What is it that I can't accept?"
The old man looked at Ling Xiao and finally sighed, "They want you to prepare to leave the Ling Family."
"Leave the Ling Family? Why?" Ling Xiao exclaimed in surprise.
By being in the Ling Family, one could learn superior martial arts techniques, rise above others. If he left the Ling Family, he had no idea when his fate would change.
"They said there's only half a month left until the annual competition. This year, any Outer Disciple who has not reached the second layer of Martial Veins doesn't qualify to participate and will be expelled from the Ling Family."
As he spoke, the old man sighed again, "It seems the Ling Family has lost some resources to other clans, and they can't afford to keep so many people anymore. Therefore, they're planning to streamline the disciples, and the rules have become stricter."
"How is this possible?"
Ling Xiao was momentarily stunned. With one month's time, he felt confident about making a breakthrough, but half a month was really too rushed.
However, the blows did not stop there.
The old man hadn't finished speaking.
"Moreover, even if you manage to break through to the second layer of Martial Veins within this half a month, you'll only tentatively retain the status of an Outer Disciple. By the time you're fourteen, if you haven't reached the third layer of Martial Veins, all Outer Disciples must become servants of the Ling Family, or else they will be stripped of their martial arts and expelled."
"That's too outrageous!"
Ling Xiao understood clearly. He was thirteen years old, and after the new year, he would be fourteen. How could he possibly reach the third layer of Martial Veins?
If he became a servant, that meant his grandfather would no longer be entitled to live with the Ling Family. How could he possibly stay there in peace?
This was no longer a matter of pride; it was a matter of life and death.
Moreover, when he was initially chosen by the Ling Family, his brothers from the Beggar's Sect who used to beg with him were all very envious.
If he were to leave the Ling Family now, how could he ever face the Beggar's Sect again?
"Yes, they are a great family, so naturally they have their own rules. We are outsiders after all."
Suddenly, the old man laughed, "Forget it, if push comes to shove, this old man can always go back to begging. It's no big deal. I can't let my situation hold you back."
"No!"
Ling Xiao shook his head and said, "Grandfather, even if there's the slightest possibility, I won't give up. I'll work harder than ever to reach the third layer of the Martial Veins before I turn fourteen! I must ensure you have a good life."
He bit his lip, his hands clenching tightly.
It was all or nothing!
"Child, you're already pushing yourself to the limit. If you try any harder, you might not only fail to achieve a breakthrough, but you could also break down physically."
The elderly man sighed, "We need to face reality. It's almost impossible to advance to the Martial Veins Second Layer in half a month. You should start making other plans."
Ling Xiao felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.
Indeed, if he hadn't managed to break through in a year, what made him think he could do it in half a month?
His heart kept sinking, fearing the worst: all his efforts being in vain.
If only he had a month, then at least there would be a thirty to forty percent chance.
But half a month... Despite his reluctance to admit it, it was a fact that without a miracle, it just wasn't possible.
"Child, don't be too sad. As long as you and I remain safe and sound, that's enough for me. I don't desire for you to be mighty; as long as you're well, that means everything to me!"
The old man's thoughts were simple; he didn't want Ling Xiao to carry too heavy an emotional burden.
"If you're worried about being laughed at by those Beggar's Sect brothers, there's no need. They've led hard lives and won't mock you. If you succeed, they'll be happy for you; if you fail, they'll still accept you."
To go back to living a mediocre life as a beggar?
"No!"
Ling Xiao shook his head resolutely, "Grandpa, have you forgotten how we were bullied on the streets before?"
"Have you forgotten how Gouzi was beaten to death by someone?"
"Have you forgotten how those evil-hearted people fed us rice laced with rat poison?"
"That time, over a hundred of our brothers died!"
"But we couldn't retaliate. The man had martial artists protecting him. Several of us went, but all got their legs broken!"
"Do you really want us to continue living a life no better than pigs and dogs? I, Ling Xiao, will not stand for this! I am no worse than anyone else! I believe there is always a way out!"
In fact, Ling Xiao didn't have grand ambitions; he pursued martial arts and aimed to become a martial artist simply to live a better life and to avenge the deaths of his fallen brothers!
The elderly man was already in tears because he knew Ling Xiao was right.
All of this was true. If Ling Xiao couldn't become a martial artist, the tragedies would continue to unfold.
"Ah, I originally didn't intend to give you the second half of this book, mainly because I was afraid you couldn't handle it. But now, I can't worry about that anymore; you've convinced me, old man that I am."
The elderly man took out a book from his clothing, or more precisely, a damaged book.
"Isn't this the other part of that incomplete scroll?" Ling Xiao asked.
"That's right, when Grandpa found the book, it was complete. However, there's a phrase on it; take a look for yourself."
The elderly man flipped to the page that connected to the first half.
"Without the determination of Pan Shi, strength is a motivator, do not practice the content beyond this page, or you will surely die!"
This was a line written in blood on the page.
"Grandpa, don't worry. I have the determination and the motivation; nothing will go wrong!"
Ling Xiao, excited, took the second half of the book to his room, joined it with the first, and read it from beginning to end in one go.
"What is this!"
In his exclamation, a golden light flew out from the pages of the book and shot directly into his body.
He was startled but didn't notice anything unusual about his body. Just when he let his guard down, an image suddenly emerged in his mind.
It was a painting.
The content of the painting was very complex, but overall, it seemed to be a landscape painting with mountains, water, and buildings, as if there was no end in sight.
The clouds and mist on the painting made it impossible to see all the details; only a corner was visible—an idyllic village with people and animals, serene and peaceful.