After Changing to the Ruthless Way, the Brothers Cried and Begged for Forgiveness-Chapter 496: A Hundred Battles in Life, Without Battle You Cannot Stand
Hearing this, Ancestor Sui Bian and Old Black Daoist saw black at the edges of their vision and nearly fainted. Ling Long had already turned and flown toward the realm. Her voice drifted back on the wind: “Why aren’t you moving? Do you need me to come fetch you?”
“No, no,” the two men straightened at once and called back: “We’re coming.”
Xiu Yu fell to the rear, shook her head at their sorry backs, and said softly: “Big sister hasn’t changed at all.”
Though Ling Long had joined no sect, her cultivation was unfathomable, and her standing within the Lingxiao Realm was correspondingly lofty. Her cave estate occupied the mountain peak where spiritual energy was richest, halls and pavilions spilling down the slopes, spirit springs and falls lacing the gardens.
They had scarcely alighted at the gate before servants arrived to open the doors and guide them in with marked deference. Once inside, Senior Ling Long pointed out a maid to lead Yu Zhao to rest, saying she would catch up with her old friends: “Go on.”
“Senior Ling Long…” Yu Zhao began, then thought better of it. Xiu Yu soothed her: “Little Zhao, rest at ease here.” Ancestor Sui Bian and Old Black Daoist both shook their heads quickly, signaling that she need not worry: “You don’t know Ling Long’s temper; we’ll handle her ourselves,” Sui Bian murmured, and Old Black Daoist added, “Focus on cultivation. Don’t waste this place’s dense spiritual energy.”
Yu Zhao could only nod and watch the four depart. She was uneasy, but she knew she could not help, so she followed the maid to her room, sat cross-legged, and began circulating her technique. The cave’s aura was indeed richer than the outside. After only two great cycles she sensed the faintest, unmistakable growth in the spiritual power coursing through her meridians. Delighted, she sank fully into practice.
When she opened her eyes again, seven days had passed. Night had fallen, though the cave estate still glittered with lamplight. She rose and stepped into the corridor, intending to find Ancestor Sui Bian and Old Black Daoist. A lazy voice drifted from ahead: “Looking for someone?”
Yu Zhao looked up. Senior Ling Long sat in the pavilion at the corridor’s end, turning a teacup in her fingers. Yu Zhao bowed: “Senior Ling Long, this junior was seeking the two ancestors. I wonder if they…”
Ling Long smiled faintly and gestured to the opposite seat. After Yu Zhao sat, Ling Long poured her a cup and said lightly: “I sent them up the mountain to gather herbs. They’ve neglected their training all these years and their footwork has decayed. The trip will loosen their joints.”
Yu Zhao understood. If they could go pick herbs, then things were not dire. She had just exhaled when Ling Long asked without warning: “What Dao do you cultivate?”
Yu Zhao blinked, then answered truthfully: “ing to Senior, this junior mainly cultivates the Ruthless Dao.”
“The Ruthless Dao?” Interest glinted in Ling Long’s eyes. “That is not all. I sense traces of formation, illusion, and the Path of Reincarnation on you. So young, yet you probe so many paths. You are a surprise.”
Yu Zhao started. Afraid that Xiu Yu had revealed her secrets, she hurried to explain: “This junior meant no concealment, only—”
“Enough. Why so tense? I won’t eat you,” Ling Long cut in, then continued evenly: “With your talent, you will try for the Great Thousand Alliance’s selection. Show me your Dao intent. I will judge if it measures up.”
She gave Yu Zhao no chance to refuse and gently drew the girl’s consciousness into a sealed space: “This is my world. Use your full strength.”
The invitation was sudden, but for Yu Zhao this was a rare chance for guidance. She steadied herself, hands blurring through mudras as starlight flashed at her fingertips. A subtle, profound sigil slowly coalesced in her palm. Colors braided and flowed. As the sigil took shape, a strange aura rippled outward.
Ling Long watched from a short distance, surprise flickering in her gaze. She had already sensed four distinct Dao intents on Yu Zhao, but she had not imagined Yu Zhao could weave them into a single technique. The difficulty of that feat rivaled the mastery of any single Dao to its limit. No wonder Xiu Yu had begged her to instruct the girl; it was not just Sui Bian’s face she was saving, but a chance to cultivate a tie.
Her expression grew more intent, and her eyes brightened with a sliver of expectation. At the instant the sigil completed, Yu Zhao pushed lightly. The sigil turned into a streak of light and sped toward Ling Long. Ling Long did not block. She let it fall upon her.
The impact drained the color from her face. A flood of forgotten memory-shards surged through her sea of consciousness as if to burst it. Her body felt alternately locked in glacier and plunged in inferno, now knife-cold, now fire-seared. The four braided Dao intents set even a powerhouse like Ling Long’s spirit rattling. She did not panic. The corner of her mouth curved.
“Yu Zhao, your four Dao intents are impressive, but still green. Now, see my Dao.”
Battle exploded from her like a storm. Her Dao was battle. A hundred battles in life; without battle, you cannot stand. The will to fight swept the space, a driving squall. Yu Zhao felt the pressure crash over her as if she stood amid a war of gods and demons. Wind roared. Scalding currents surged and boiled through her frame.
Within that will, Ling Long’s figure swelled, and Yu Zhao felt small as dust. Then Ling Long leaned down and met Yu Zhao’s eyes. The towering battle intent plunged into Yu Zhao’s body. A thousand slaughter-cries filled her head. She felt flesh rip, reknit, and hurl itself back into the melee, again and again and again.
Yu Zhao trembled despite herself. She bit down and nailed her mind in place, wrestling to pry free of the tide. Ling Long nodded, satisfied, and watched in silence until Yu Zhao neared her limit and her consciousness threatened to collapse. Only then did Ling Long draw her will back.
“Good. To last that long beneath my battle intent exceeds my expectations.”
Though pale, Yu Zhao’s eyes were alight: “Many thanks for the instruction, Senior. This junior has profited greatly.” Under that lash of battle will, she clearly felt her four Dao intents knit more tightly together. Next time she formed the sigil, it would not be so taxing.
“Go on,” Ling Long said as the sealed world dissolved. “They should be back by now.”
Chapter 496: A Hundred Battles in Life, Without Battle You Cannot Stand
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