Chapter 8

"Clan leader, it’s bad, very bad, Elder is about to pass away."

"What, you mean Uncle San?"

Ling Xian was greatly alarmed. He knew that Uncle San had been injured by a sneak attack yesterday, but he could still speak, and there was no danger to his life. How could it suddenly worsen?

"I don’t know, Uncle Wu sent me to call you."

Ling Xian said no more. In a flash, he had vanished, leaving Ling Feng and Ling Yu staring in amazement, once again confirming that the clan leader was indeed a powerful cultivator at the fourth level of the Body Tempering stage, with his lightness skills reaching a divine level.

Ling Xian left his residence and rushed straight to Uncle San’s residence. Although Uncle San was somewhat timid and weak, he cared for and supported the younger generation, and had worried a great deal about the Ling family. Ling Xian did not want him to die young, but he was unsure if there was still a chance to save him.

Upon arriving at Uncle San’s residence, Ling Xian found the main hall far more crowded than he had imagined. Several clan elders were present, along with dozens of young disciples, all with sorrowful expressions on their faces.

Ling Xian’s heart sank. Could Uncle San really be so seriously injured that he couldn’t be treated?

"Brother Xian."

"Clan leader, the clan leader has arrived."

...

After the events of yesterday, Ling Xian’s prestige was exceptionally high. The clan members made way for him, but they did not believe he could change anything. After all, Elder was critically injured, and even with his intelligence, it was impossible to save him from the brink of death.

There was no way to turn the tide!

"Uncle, how is Uncle San?"

Ling Xian, without hesitation, came forward and asked with concern.

Beside Elder’s bed sat an old man with white hair and a kind face. This was Ling Xian’s great-uncle, also the best physician in the Ling family.

"Alas!" Ling Xuanhu sighed. "Tianxiong’s heart meridian is damaged, and his internal energy is congested. He doesn’t have much time left."

"What?"

Ling Xian was shocked. "Uncle San was fine yesterday. Is there really no hope of saving him?"

"Not necessarily, but..." Ling Xuanhu hesitated.

"Uncle, please speak your mind."

"Elder’s injuries are not incurable, but mere medicine is no longer effective. He needs a fourth-level Body Tempering expert to massage his meridians and activate his blood flow, to clear the congestion. Otherwise..." Ling Xuanhu’s face turned sorrowful. "He may not survive the night."

"A fourth-level expert?"

The clan members exchanged glances. The Ling family had long fallen from grace, and there were few, if any, fourth-level warriors, let alone second or third-level ones.

There were only a few such experts left.

Could they only watch as Elder died from his injuries?

The clan members felt bitter, and many young disciples could not help but weep.

"Can’t we find someone to help?" Da Niu covered his face and cried out in sorrow.

"Help? Our clan has fallen to a minor family. In recent years, other forces have coveted us. It’s a miracle they haven’t added to our troubles. Do you really expect them to help us in our time of need?"

"Indeed, those ungrateful scoundrels would love to drive us out of Luoyun Mountain. How could they possibly lend a hand?"

"In recent years, our clan has grown weaker. Families that once had some connection with us no longer associate with us."

...

The clan members spoke in a cacophony, their faces filled with sorrow and anger.

When you are poor, no one asks about you, but when you are rich, even distant relatives come to visit.

A thousand years ago, the Ling family was a bustling household, with countless sects and families vying to form alliances. Even an ordinary disciple who couldn’t practice martial arts could marry the daughter of a great hero. Now, the situation was the opposite. They were ridiculed, and larger sects were ashamed to associate with them, let alone help them.

Reality was harsh.

Had the Ling family not endured enough cold shoulders over the years?

Even if they cared little for their dignity, it was impossible to invite a fourth-level expert.

"Elder!"

"Uncle San!"

For a moment, everyone burst into tears.

Ling Xuanhu also looked helpless. Without a fourth-level expert to massage the meridians, he could do nothing.

"Let me take a look."

Ling Xian remained silent and slowly approached.

He did not say he was a fourth-level expert. After all, his method of advancement was different from that of ordinary martial artists. Although Ling Xian felt that the true qi he had converted from spiritual energy was pure and condensed, he needed to try to see if it would be effective in massaging the meridians and activating the blood flow.

"Alright!"

Ling Xuanhu moved aside, not believing that Ling Xian could help Elder. Although the clan leader had performed well yesterday, he was still too young.

"Uncle San!"

Ling Xian held Ling Tianxiong’s hand, which was as pale as a corpse.

"Xian, don’t be sad..."

Before Ling Tianxiong could finish, his pained expression suddenly turned to surprise. He felt a powerful and pure true qi flow from his palm, clearing the congested meridians one by one.

How could this be?

The strength of this true qi was undoubtedly that of a fourth-level Body Tempering expert.

And it was at the peak of the fourth level!

Although Xian was considered outstanding among his peers, hadn’t he been stuck at the second level?

Ling Tianxiong was both surprised and delighted, but mostly incredulous.

At the same time, Ling Xuanhu also noticed the change. Elder’s pale face suddenly turned much rosier. Could it be...

He took Ling Tianxiong’s other hand and began to feel his pulse.

...

"Xian, are you already a fourth-level Body Tempering expert?"

After a moment, Ling Tianxiong’s complexion improved significantly, and all the congested meridians were cleared.

The crowd was greatly astonished, almost doubting their own ears.

"Is the clan leader really a third-rate expert?"

"Impossible! I practiced with the clan leader a few days ago, and he was definitely at the second level. How could he advance two levels in such a short time?"

"Such speed is unheard of in our family’s history."

"Could it be that our ancestors have blessed us?"

...

For a moment, the discussions were endless. This was too shocking, but with the confirmation of the two elders, it was likely true. After the initial shock, every clan member was overjoyed.

"Heaven has not abandoned us. The Ling family finally has a fourth-level Body Tempering expert."

"The clan leader is mighty. From now on, our Ling family will no longer be weak and vulnerable. We will rise again."

"Thank heaven, may it bless our clan!"

The clan members bowed to Ling Xian, filled with reverence. Several elders were even in tears. For so many years, the Ling family had been bullied and declined, and now they finally had a day to hold their heads high.

A fourth-level expert could be on equal terms with a county magistrate. The emergence of such a figure would greatly enhance the family’s strength and status.

Although it was not enough to rise again, it was at least a good start.

"Xian, how did you cultivate?"

Ling Tianxiong’s voice was both relieved and curious. Advancing two levels in one night was simply unbelievable, and such a miracle had never been recorded in the family’s history.

"I’m not sure. I dreamed of the first ancestor last night. He helped me transform my meridians and marrow, and then I became like this."

Ling Xian’s expression was confused, but it was all an act. Cultivation was a serious matter, and it was not yet time to reveal it. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the family, but if this secret were exposed, it would likely attract powerful figures he couldn’t handle.

So, attributing everything to the ancestor was the best choice.

It kept things mysterious and avoided unnecessary lies.

A win-win situation!

"The first ancestor, you mean the great martial hero who was a close friend of the founding emperor and the first ancestor of our Ling family?" An elder was shocked, trembling as he spoke.

"Yes."

Ling Xian answered succinctly.

"Indeed, it must be the ancestors’ blessing!"

"Heaven has blessed us."

Many clan members knelt toward the direction of the ancestral hall. Although they did not know that the first ancestor was a cultivator from a higher realm, they knew that he had helped establish the martial kingdom, with his martial arts reaching divine levels and his reputation resounding. They held him in the highest regard.

The Ling family had declined for so long, and the ancestors had never shown themselves, but they appeared after Ling Xian became the clan leader. What did this mean?

It meant that he had been recognized by the first ancestor, the great martial hero.

The last bit of distrust in the family toward Ling Xian disappeared. Whether it was the elders or the young disciples, they all sincerely admired him. If the ancestor had chosen him as the destined one, how could he be wrong?

Ling Xian’s prestige reached new heights, and everyone regarded him as the most outstanding figure in the family’s thousand-year history.

Only he could revitalize the family!

This outcome was somewhat unexpected for Ling Xian. He had said this because the matter of cultivation was not yet suitable to be revealed, and he was too lazy to lie. He didn’t expect the clan members to believe he was the destined one, greatly enhancing his authority.

Ling Xian didn’t bother to explain. After all, this misunderstanding was beneficial to him.

The appearance of the ancestor naturally foretold the revival of the Ling family. For a moment, everyone was elated, and the depressed atmosphere was swept away. Perhaps... perhaps Ling Xian could truly lead the family to its former glory.

"Everyone, please disperse. I have some things to discuss with Xian." Ling Tianxiong waved his hand. At this moment, his complexion was much better than before.

"This..."

The clan members were hesitant, or perhaps they were unwilling to leave the clan leader who had brought them such joy.

"Listen to Uncle San, everyone, please disperse."

"Yes!"

Only after Ling Xian gave the order did the clan members respectfully leave. His prestige in the clan had reached an unprecedented level.

Everyone was convinced and supported him wholeheartedly.

"Xian, did you really see the ancestor? Did he mention how to break the curse that has plagued us for a thousand years?"

"This... the ancestor did not mention it."

"Is that so?"

Ling Tianxiong’s face showed disappointment. On the surface, the Ling family’s decline was due to the imperial family’s enmity and constant oppression, leading to its downfall. In reality, there was a deeper reason.

The thousand-year-old curse!

Otherwise, even without the imperial family’s favor, the Ling family, with its many talents, would not have fallen to its current state.

Now, although Xian had been recognized by the ancestor, the curse had not been broken, and the Ling family’s rise would still face significant challenges.

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