Chapter 2

"Awake, are you?"

When Ling Xiao opened his eyes again, he saw his already aged grandfather.

With white hair, a thin figure, and a withered face.

"Ah, why do you have to be so stubborn? Just give in! Come, drink your medicine!"

The old man sighed and brought over a bowl of bitter herbal soup.

From his grandfather's words, Ling Xiao could hear both concern and helplessness.

"Hehe, it's fine, it's not the first time, and I won't give in anyway."

Ling Xiao laughed and said, "Once I break through to the second level of the martial vein, I'll go settle accounts with Ling Chong!"

"You, this boy."

The old man sighed. Although Ling Xiao was a child he had picked up, he had always treated him like his own grandson.

Seeing Ling Xiao injured, he felt particularly distressed.

Ling Xiao took the cooled herbal soup and drank it in one go, a smile appearing on his face.

Actually, his refusal to give in was not just because of his stubborn nature, but also for another reason.

After practicing the incomplete cultivation technique, his body's recovery speed had become particularly fast.

In the past, he had been knocked unconscious several times, but he would wake up in less than half an hour, and his body would recover to about 70-80%. After drinking some herbal soup, he would be almost fully healed.

"Someone from the Ling family just came over."

The old man hesitated as he spoke.

"Grandfather, just say it directly. What can I not accept?"

The old man looked at Ling Xiao and sighed, "They want you to prepare to leave the Ling family."

"Leave the Ling family? Why?" Ling Xiao was shocked.

Entering the Ling family was the only way to learn better martial arts techniques and achieve success. If he left the Ling family, he didn't know when his fate would change.

"They said that there is only half a month left until the annual competition. This time, all outer disciples who have not reached the second level of the martial vein are not eligible to participate and will be expelled from the Ling family."

The old man sighed again, "It seems that the Ling family has lost some resources to other families and can no longer support so many people. Therefore, they are streamlining the disciples, and the original rules have become stricter."

"How can this be?"

Ling Xiao was also stunned. With a month, he had confidence to break through, but half a month was too short.

However, the blow did not end there.

The old man had not finished speaking.

"Also, even if you break through to the second level of the martial vein within half a month, it will only temporarily retain your status as an outer disciple. Before the age of fourteen, if you cannot reach the third level of the martial vein, all outer disciples must become servants of the Ling family, or have their martial arts skills revoked and be expelled."

"That's too much!"

Ling Xiao understood that he was thirteen years old and would turn fourteen after the New Year. How could he possibly reach the third level of the martial vein?

If he became a servant, it meant that his grandfather would no longer have the right to live in the Ling family. How could he possibly stay here with peace of mind?

This was not just a matter of face, but a matter of survival.

Moreover, when he was chosen by the Ling family, his former beggar brothers were very envious.

If he left the Ling family like this, how could he face the beggars again?

"Yes, they are a large family and have their own rules. We are ultimately outsiders."

The old man suddenly smiled, "Forget it. If it doesn't work out, I'll go back to begging. It's fine; I won't let my situation affect your future."

"No!"

Ling Xiao shook his head, "Grandfather, as long as there is the slightest possibility, I won't give up. I will work even harder to reach the third level of the martial vein before I turn fourteen! I will make sure you live a good life."

He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

I will do it!

"The child, you are already working very hard. If you push yourself too hard, you might not break through but instead damage your body."

The old man sighed, "We need to face reality. Breaking through to the second level of the martial vein in half a month is almost impossible. We should make plans early."

Ling Xiao felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.

Yes, he couldn't break through in a year, so why would he be able to in half a month?

His heart sank, and he feared that no matter how hard he tried, it would be in vain.

If it were a month, it would be better, as he would have at least a 30-40% chance.

But half a month, he had to admit, unless a miracle happened, it was impossible.

"Child, don't be too sad. As long as we are safe, that's all that matters. I don't need you to be powerful; I just want you to be well."

The old man's thoughts were simple; he didn't want Ling Xiao to bear too much mental burden.

"If you are worried about the beggars laughing at you, don't be. They are all poor people and won't mock you. They will be happy if you succeed and will accept you if you fail."

Go back to being a beggar?

"No!"

Ling Xiao firmly shook his head, "Grandfather, have you forgotten how we were bullied on the streets before?"

"Have you forgotten how Dogzi was beaten to death?"

"Have you forgotten how those evil people gave us food laced with rat poison?"

"That time, over a hundred brothers died!"

"But we couldn't fight back. The person had martial artists protecting him, and when we went to confront him, we were all beaten and had our legs broken!"

"Do you want us to continue living a life worse than pigs and dogs? I, Ling Xiao, refuse! I am not inferior to anyone! I believe that there is always a way out!"

Ling Xiao didn't have great ambitions. He learned martial arts to live a better life and to avenge his fallen brothers!

The old 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, all the tragedies would continue.

"Ah, I didn't plan to give you the second half of this book, mainly because I was afraid you couldn't handle it. But now, I can't afford to be so cautious. I am convinced by you."

The old man took out a book from his inner clothing, or rather, a damaged book.

"Is this the other part of the incomplete scroll?" Ling Xiao asked.

"That's right. When I found the book, it was complete, but there is a sentence on it. Read it yourself."

The old man flipped to the page connecting the first half.

"If you do not have the determination of a rock, and if you do not have the power to drive you, do not practice the content after this page, or you will surely die!"

This sentence was written in blood on the page.

"Grandfather, don't worry. I have the determination and the power. Nothing will happen to me!"

Ling Xiao excitedly took the second half of the book to his room, pieced it together with the first half, and read it from beginning to end.

"What is this!"

As he exclaimed, a golden light flew out from the page and directly entered his body.

He was startled but didn't feel any abnormalities in his body. Just as he relaxed, a scene suddenly appeared in his mind.

It was a painting.

The content of the painting was very complex, but overall, it was a landscape painting with mountains, water, and buildings, seemingly endless.

The painting was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to see all the details. Only a corner was visible, a village with people and animals, looking very peaceful.