```
"If Ninth Master knew about this, he would definitely tear Ling Xiao apart alive," Ling Fei sneered.
"Ninth Master probably wouldn't take action personally, after all, once he makes a move, it becomes others' pretext to attack him, to bully the weak on the pretext of being powerful, which would not sound very good. Spittle could drown a person! However, Ling Chong has an older cousin called Ling Tieshou, who ranks just below Ling Feng in Elite Hall, at eleventh place. He possesses the cultivation level of Martial Veins Third Layer Peak. I guess he will be the one to make a move."
…
After returning to his residence, Ling Xiao had a physician examine his grandfather's health.
The rib fracture wasn't difficult to treat but required some rare medicinal ingredients, which were quite expensive.
The ninety taels of silver that Ling Xiao had just obtained were instantly converted into money for medicinal herbs.
But he did not regret it, for healing his grandfather wasn't a loss.
"Alright, Young Master has gathered these herbs. I've written down everything clearly for both external and internal use. If you keep it up for a month, he should be fully recovered."
After sending the physician off, Ling Xiao went to collect the herbs, came back to brew medicine for his grandfather, and took care of him until he rested well, then he went out again.
He was very aware that since he'd injured Ling Chong, trouble would inevitably follow. He needed to continue improving his strength.
The Soaring Cloud Step was ready to be initiated.
To avoid disturbances, Ling Xiao directly climbed over the wall and headed to a dense forest some seven to eight hundred meters away from the Ling Family compound.
"With the Fierce Tiger Descending Mountain Step combined with Bursting Qi Technique, I was already able to defeat Ling Feng. I wonder to what extent the Soaring Cloud Step will be powerful?"
Ling Xiao felt a bit excited in his heart.
Through the Mountain and River Martial Soul, Ling Xiao initiated the Soaring Cloud Step.
However, that was just the beginning. To master it proficiently, he still needed to practice, but it would be relatively simple now.
This miraculous skill was indeed miraculous; with such a troublesome practice and high difficulty, the effects definitely couldn't be poor.
Because of this thought, Ling Xiao had the motivation to practice.
Perhaps because of the foundation laid by the Fierce Tiger Descending Mountain Step, and also due to the effect of the Mountain and River Martial Soul, Ling Xiao managed to grasp the realm of Soaring Cloud Step in just one shichen.
Although the Soaring Cloud Step has a total of nine realms and this was just the beginning,
after trying out the effects of the Soaring Cloud Step, Ling Xiao felt that no matter the effort, it was truly worth it!
He tried the effectiveness of the Soaring Cloud Step in the forest.
The conclusion he came to was—
Even without using the Bursting Qi Technique, the Soaring Cloud Step's effect could reach the Great Perfection effect of the Fierce Tiger Descending Mountain Step without Bursting Qi Technique.
When using the Bursting Qi Technique, it was significantly stronger than the Fierce Tiger Descending Mountain Step using the same Bursting Qi Technique.
This was what the first realm was like!
Could it be that the Soaring Cloud Step was not an ultimate martial art but an advanced martial art?
Otherwise, the effect couldn't possibly be this good!
Thinking this, Ling Xiao's motivation for practising the Soaring Cloud Step surged even more.
It was simple; he chose to practice the Soaring Cloud Step before the Ox Demon Technique because this lightweight body technique was not only good for combat but also for escaping danger.
Ling Xiao only had one life, and preserving his life was the only way to continue getting stronger.
While he was busy improving his strength through training, Ling Chong had already been sent to the Pharmacy Hall of the Ling Clan.
The Ling Clan's Pharmacy Hall was specifically responsible for alchemy and healing people.
"Who hurt my son!"
Ling Jiu and Ling Tieshou had already arrived at the Pharmacy Hall. Seeing how miserable Ling Chong looked, Ling Jiu smashed the stone stool on the ground with a slap.
"Ling Xiao!"
```
The disciple who brought Ling Chong to the Pharmacy Hall spoke tremblingly.
"Ling Xiao? Is that the waste, Ling Xiao?"
Ling Jiu was actually taken aback, he had thought it was some expert, how could it be Ling Xiao!
"It really is that Ling Xiao, that guy seems to have mastered a secret technique that allows him to combine and use several martial arts, his strength is terrifyingly strong, and with just one move he left Brother Ling Chong in this state."
"Waste!"
Ling Jiu cursed.
"Yes, yes, that Ling Xiao is indeed a waste."
"I'm not talking about him, I'm talking about my son Ling Chong!" Ling Jiu felt both angry and defeated inside.
He had not hesitated to break the family rules to get advanced martial arts and a large amount of pills for his son, but in the end, not only did his son not rank in the Elite Hall, he even lost to Ling Xiao.
Defeated in succession twice, both with a single move, how stupid could one be!
"Uncle Jiu, don't be too angry, after all, Ling Chong is your son. As for that Ling Xiao, I'll take care of him!"
Ling Tieshou said with a smile.
"Tieshou, you are indeed reassuring, ah, why can't you be my son! You're only a year older than Ling Chong, yet you've already mastered sixty percent of the Giant Spirit Palm Technique, and you've cultivated to the pinnacle of the Martial Veins Third Layer. If you were to deal with Ling Xiao, it would be as easy as swatting a fly."
Ling Jiu seemed to hold Ling Tieshou in high regard.
"Uncle Jiu, for so many years, I've always regarded you as my own father. My worthless father died early, if it weren't for you taking me in, I wouldn't have today."
Ling Tieshou said.
"Good! Well said! From now on, you are my own son, ask for whatever you want, and I will fulfill it! But when beating a dog, one must look at the owner. That Ling Xiao, he does need to be taught a lesson. However, the annual grand competition is coming soon, there's no hurry. At that time, in front of all the Ling Clan disciples, we'll make sure that boy won't be able to get off the stage!"
...
Ling Xiao naturally didn't know about this conversation, but even if he did, what he had to do would not change.
After mastering the 'Soaring Cloud Step,' the requirements became higher: one must cultivate two intermediate body movement techniques in order to unlock the second step.
Having no other recourse, Ling Xiao temporarily stopped and turned to cultivate the 'Falling Star Fist' and 'Crimson Sun Technique' instead.
His plan was to cultivate the 'Falling Star Fist' and 'Crimson Sun Technique' to Great Perfection and then go back to selecting two intermediate body movement techniques for cultivation.
After all, when it comes to fighting, one couldn't just think about running away; one also had to enhance combat capability.
Moreover, to quickly cultivate to the Martial Veins Second Layer Peak, he must also cultivate the 'Crimson Sun Technique' and 'Falling Star Fist'.
In terms of promoting one's own strength, martial skills and internal cultivation mind techniques are stronger than body movement techniques.
Secret techniques themselves do not help in advancing one's cultivation level.
So generally, martial artists do not cultivate too many martial skills, focusing more on refining internal cultivation mind techniques and martial skills.
After spending a full day, Ling Xiao truly reaped a rich harvest!
The 'Crimson Sun Technique' had been cultivated to the fifth layer!
The 'Falling Star Fist' had also finally grasped the ninth move - Falling Star Crash!
The only thing lacking for Great Perfection was experience, which could not be achieved through cultivation alone; it had to be honed through actual combat.
At this moment, through the display of the Mountain and River Martial Soul, he could clearly see his True Qi had become a full fifty percent more robust than the day before.
The more robust the True Qi, the more times he could use the 'Bursting Qi Technique,' and the more powerful the 'Falling Star Fist' would be.
The most obvious change in the Mountain and River Map was the flames on the altar, which were much more vigorous than before.
Ling Xiao faintly felt that everything in this Mountain and River Map seemed to have some connection with his body, though he was not quite clear about it yet.