Chapter 3: Chapter Three: Luo Ling

Luo Ling stared at the endless starry sky, silent and still, every star blazing with brilliant light.

What good is this beautiful sky?

Xiao Ze! Not a single star in the heavens compares to you!

After gazing for a long time, Luo Ling stopped, his eyes dull, slowly sinking to the ground, a clear tear tracing down his cheek.

Why did this happen? Why did this sword absorb Luo Ze? At that moment, Luo Ling seemed to recall something and suddenly turned his gaze to the Blue Sword hanging in the starry sky.

The Blue Sword still shimmered, but its originally pale blue blade began to change, as if the Star Power surrounding it suddenly converged toward it.

In an instant, the entire horizon turned illusory!

Luo Ling suddenly remembered the last words Luo Ze had spoken to him—he said he'd perform a magic trick for him. He stared at the sword before him, lost in thought...

Luo Ling's mind drifted back to his childhood...

This sword was given to him by his father when he was three. He was too young then to understand that his father had implanted countless pieces of knowledge into his forehead; he only remembered his father saying, "You have only three years! I can only stay with you for three years. When you turn six, I must leave."

During that time, young Luo Ling swung the sword, thinking it was fun, then kept it beside his bed, storing it away.

As he slowly grew older, on the day he turned six, his father came before him, stroking Luo Ling's head, and whispered, "Ling'er, Father must go to a far, far place—I must leave! I may never return!" As he spoke, he opened his palm, and the sword from the bedside vanished, appearing in his hand. He looked at the sword, his brow slightly furrowed: "This sword contains boundless power—the stronger you become, the stronger it becomes. I've temporarily sealed within you the knowledge of Sword Dao, sword techniques, and more. When you turn eight, you'll be able to learn them. Study hard, cultivate the Sword Dao well. And your younger brother is still small—protect him." With that, he turned to leave.

Luo Ling hadn't yet reacted—was his father really leaving? His brother had just been born—what about him? What about his brother? So he said, "Father, are you really leaving? Where's Mother? Why did she bring my brother here and then vanish? And..."

Luo Ling had many more questions!

His father looked at the child before him, his expression complex, a flicker of pity deep in his eyes. He squatted before Luo Ling, brushing his hair gently, and whispered, "I'm sorry, Ling'er. Your father and mother can't stay to raise you. Don't hate us. I know you have many questions, but time is short—I can't explain everything. Just cultivate the cultivation method I gave you, and live well on Dao Ling Shan!"

As if remembering something, he added, "And your brother is special—you must care for him, protect him. The path will be hard, difficult—but promise me, will you?" With that, he waved his hand, and a pile of Mysterious Crystals and supplies appeared on the table.

Without waiting for Luo Ling's reply, he vanished from the spot.

"Father... Old Man!" Seeing his father vanish suddenly, Luo Ling shouted loudly!

Old Man really left!

After a moment of silence, he walked to the place where his father had disappeared, gazed at the distant horizon, his expression complex, then slowly closed his eyes and trembled, "Father, Mother—go. I don't know why you left, but you must have your reasons. I will cultivate hard, protect my brother, and find you!" With that, he opened his eyes, revealing a resolute gaze.

When he turned eight...

On that day, he picked up the sword as usual, ready to swing it. The moment he grasped it, the entire blade shuddered violently, transforming into a streak of swordlight that surged into his forehead!

Countless pieces of knowledge flooded his mind. Luo Ling froze slightly, then immediately sat down on the spot—he was still too young to absorb such vast information at once.

After about half a day, the knowledge was fully absorbed. His face was filled with shock.

This entirely blue sword was named: Blue Sword. Three feet long, two fingers wide. It contained countless laws and Dao principles—he could sense them, but had no idea how to use them.

Inside were three sword techniques: Sword Pointing to the Heavens, Heaven-Toppling Sword Art, One Sword Boundless.

The only one he could learn now was Sword Pointing to the Heavens—the other two were far too complex.

There was also a technique named Sword Dao Unparalleled. Luo Ling tried to access it now, but found he couldn't open it in his mindsea, so he gave up.

The sword's origin was unknown, forged from countless unnamed materials, its functions and uses numerous and immensely powerful!

In addition,

(Chapter not finished, please turn page)

the seal his father had placed on him vanished. His father's knowledge contained detailed records of Dao Ling Shan, as well as a full explanation of the highest known cultivation system on Xuan Zhe Continent.

Beyond the divisions of the Xuan Zhe Realm, there was also a section on Sword Dao. After reading it, Luo Ling discovered it contained his father's reflections on Sword Dao, annotations on the three sword techniques, and a record of the four highest known Sword Dao realms.

From lowest to highest: Sword Cultivator, Sword Master, Sword Grandmaster, Sword Lord!

Only these four existed so far, and the knowledge detailed an overview and cultivation method for each. When he looked at the final Sword Dao realm—Sword Lord—his expression turned grave.

The Sword Dao knowledge described the Sword Lord realm with only one sentence: "One who reaches the Sword Lord realm approaches invincibility. Currently, Xuan Zhe Continent has only one Sword Lord. This knowledge cannot explain this realm!" Below it was another note: "The technique Sword Dao Unparalleled annihilates heaven and earth, beyond description. Only one who reaches the Sword Lord realm may use this technique!"

Sword Lord! Luo Ling's heart trembled with shock.

At that moment, Luo Ling understood—this knowledge had shown him a path. From then on, he began using the resources his father left him, training day and night without rest!

From age eight, his life consisted only of caring for his brother and cultivating.

The Luo Family was merely a house—three stories tall, large and luxurious, surrounded by a forest enclosed by mountains, with a river flowing between them. He often took his brother to play by the river, sitting cross-legged on its banks to cultivate.

The entire Luo Family territory was neither large nor small on Dao Ling Shan, hidden deep within a mountain range. He rarely left; his father had set protective arrays here, and over the years no one had come near—it was safe.

By the time he was fifteen, his brother was eight or nine. Over the years, the brothers' bond had grown extremely deep—they regarded each other as each other's only one.

Luo Ze didn't know that Luo Ling had already reached Dao Xuan Zhe Peak, Divine Realm. The strongest on Dao Ling Shan was only Ling Xuan Zhe Peak. Even across all of Xuan Zhe Continent, Dao Xuan Zhe were rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns—let alone Dao Xuan Zhe Peak. There was said to be none on the entire continent, since the highest known realm was Dao Xuan Zhe. And Luo Ling was a Sword Cultivator!

Luo Ling looked at everything before him, a faint smile forming.

At this level, he was utterly invincible on Dao Ling Shan. How far still remained between him and his parents? Thinking of them, Luo Ling shook his head and smiled.

Dao Ling Shan.

On this day, a boy arrived at the Dao Spirit Mountain Martial Ranking, gazing at the top-ranked name, beside which was written: "Zhou Tian, Ling Xuan Zhe, Divine Spirit Realm..."

Dao Spirit Mountain Martial Ranking—the list of prodigies under twenty on Dao Ling Shan. Only fifty names appeared, the minimum requirement being Xuan Zhe, Luck Realm. The families and factions of Dao Ling Shan took pride in having their young ones on the list.

The boy looked at the number one, shook his head, and smiled. So the prodigies of Dao Ling Shan were this weak? He turned to leave—when suddenly an old man appeared beside him. The old man stared at the boy and said gravely, "Wait. Which faction are you from? Why have I never seen you before?"

Luo Ling stopped, turned to the old man, and smiled: "Luo Family."

Luo Family? The old man was confused—he'd never heard of it. Then he said, "I saw you staring at the Martial Ranking for a long time. Why not challenge someone?"

"Not interested," the boy said, walking off without looking back. The old man made no effort to stop him.

Not interested? The old man was baffled. This was the Martial Ranking! He'd urged the boy to challenge precisely because he couldn't read him—he suspected this boy was a super-prodigy, a top-tier genius!

The old man didn't dwell on it, nor dared to block the boy's departure. He shook his head and turned to leave.

He hadn't taken two steps when a powerful aura appeared behind him. He spun around in shock—the man arriving was Wu Feng, the Martial Pavilion Master!

The Martial Pavilion was the force behind the Martial Ranking. Prodigies on the list entered the Martial Pavilion to train; the higher their rank, the more resources they received. The Martial Pavilion was essentially a breeding ground for these prodigies—and the main reason they competed fiercely to appear on the list was the chance to enter the Martial Pavilion.

With Wu Feng's arrival, everyone nearby turned to look. In an instant, Wu Feng appeared before the boy, who was nearly out of sight.

Everyone rushed over—including the old man from before.

"Boy, please wait!"

(Chapter not finished, please turn page)

Wu Feng suddenly shouted.

In the distance, the boy turned around, his expression calm, and looked at Wu Feng with a quiet voice: "What is it?"

Wu Feng stared directly at the boy, scanning him from head to toe. A flicker of surprise appeared deep in his eyes, but he quickly regained composure and ignited a talisman.

Luo Ling frowned slightly. This was a Transmission Talisman—was he calling someone? What did this man want?

Soon, a boy in a black long robe stepped forward. He stood tall and elegant, radiating the aura of a true cultivator. He arrived before the Martial Pavilion, clasped his fists, and bowed slightly: "Greetings, Pavilion Master!"

Pavilion Master? The distant boy suddenly understood—he had seen the Martial Pavilion and its Pavilion Master mentioned on the Dao Spirit Mountain Martial Ranking.

Wu Feng suddenly said: "Zhou Tian, fight him!"

Zhou Tian!

The crowd immediately shouted Zhou Tian's name—he was unquestionably the undisputed number one on the current Martial Ranking, and at such a young age, he had reached Spirit Profounder! This was extraordinary.

The boy was also stunned. Was this Zhou Tian?

The boy quickly recovered. The Pavilion Master must be trying to recruit him. His talent couldn't possibly be hidden from this Pavilion Master. A faint smile curled at his lips.

Number one on the Martial Ranking?

Honor?

The boy had no interest in any of that—he only wanted better cultivation resources. All he cared about now was becoming stronger!

Zhou Tian, upon hearing this, was momentarily stunned. Had the Pavilion Master summoned him here just to fight this boy? Who was this boy? He could not sense the boy's true strength, but he knew this was no ordinary matter.

Without further thought, he quickly replied: "Understood, disciple will do his best!"

After speaking, Zhou Tian vanished from his spot. He clenched his fists tightly and slammed them toward the distant boy. His fists brimmed with spiritual energy—he dared not underestimate, and unleashed his full power.

At Zhou Tian's full-force strike, someone in the crowd gasped. How could this frail boy possibly withstand it?

The crowd was baffled. They stared at the distant boy—there was no aura at all, as if he were an ordinary person. Why had the Pavilion Master and Zhou Tian come? And why had Zhou Tian struck with full force? Had this boy done something wrong? Had he angered the Martial Pavilion?

When the punch was still several zhang away from the boy, his expression remained utterly calm. He merely flicked his sleeve lightly—and the power within Zhou Tian's punch instantly dissolved. Zhou Tian himself was blasted back fifty to sixty zhang, crashing to the ground as the earth beneath him cracked slightly.

In the crowd, countless people were stunned.

One casual flick of the sleeve—and the invincible number one of the Martial Ranking, the Spirit Profounder, was defeated? Was this really an ordinary person?

Wu Feng, in the distance, also showed a flash of surprise. His brows tightened, and for the first time, his eyes held seriousness. He knew the boy had held back—and the boy had used less than one-tenth of his strength.

The old man who had spoken earlier was utterly speechless with shock. Could this boy really be this terrifying? No wonder he showed no interest—he was truly a giant!

Zhou Tian's mind was blank. He didn't understand what had happened. Sensing he wasn't dead, he slowly sat up, staring at the distant boy. In his eyes now lingered a trace of wariness. He knew the boy was unfathomably deep—never had he imagined he couldn't even block a single strike.

Wu Feng walked over to Zhou Tian's side and smiled: "Beyond the sky lies higher sky; beyond the person lies greater person. Losing is fine—it's a lesson. Remember this: don't grow arrogant."

Zhou Tian said: "Understood. Disciple will remember the Pavilion Master's teaching."

Wu Feng nodded slightly, then turned to the crowd, infused his spiritual energy into his voice, and shouted: "From this moment on, the number one on the Dao Spirit Mountain Martial Ranking—the supreme genius—is this boy. Anyone who disagrees may challenge him!"

His voice echoed across the entire Dao Spirit Mountain!

"What is your name?" Wu Feng asked the distant boy, whose expression remained calm.

The boy hesitated slightly, then smiled: "Luo Family, Luo Ling."

Luo Family!

As if recalling something, Wu Feng's pupils shrank sharply, then quickly calmed.

"Luo Ling, you will join my Martial Pavilion. The entire Martial Pavilion will devote all its resources to cultivate you!" Wu Feng said.

Joining the Martial Pavilion suited the boy perfectly. He immediately replied: "Very well. Thank you, Martial Pavilion Master!"

Beside him, Zhou Tian's eyes flickered with unwillingness, but he dared not speak further. This boy was so powerful, it left him utterly hopeless.

Soon, Luo Ling's name became known to all of Dao Spirit Mountain.

After that day, everyone knew of this event.

A genius boy emerged suddenly, defeating the Martial Ranking's number one with a single strike, and was granted the Martial Pavilion's highest-level treatment!

……

(End of Chapter)