"Haha... Stand up, disciple." Xiao Lao chuckled as he looked at Tang Ling. "Though my purpose for coming here wasn't fulfilled, I've discovered a treasure instead. Hahaha..."
Tang Ling stood with a puzzled expression and asked, "Master, now that I'm your disciple, what do I do? I don't really understand how this whole relationship works. I've always lived alone."
Xiao Lao smiled warmly. "No problem. I will teach you everything."
Xiao Lao's eyes narrowed as he gestured for Tang Ling to sit. His voice turned cold, carrying the weight of countless life-and-death experiences.
"Listen closely, boy. Before you chase power, understand what it truly is. Spiritual energy—it's the life force flowing within all living beings. With it, you can wield guns, devices, armor—tools that grow more powerful as your realm increases. As your power grows, you'll also be able to access more complex and greater devices. But none of it matters if your foundation is trash."
Tang Ling stiffened. The serious tone of his master made his earlier excitement fade into focused silence.
Xiao Lao nodded at his reaction and continued, his gaze unblinking.
"One can acquire spiritual energy through proper cultivation techniques—slow and safe. Or…" he paused, voice dipping low, "you can absorb it from beasts. Fast, tempting—but dangerous."
Tang Ling's eyes flickered with the memory of his battle. He gave a small nod.
"Beasts are stronger than humans of the same realm. That's the truth. Their energy is wild, chaotic. Let greed control you, and it'll cost you your life."
He stood and looked at the dark sky above, as if remembering the faces of those who fell.
"Greed is fine. It fuels ambition. But too much? It clouds your mind, makes you take shortcuts. That's when people die."
Tang Ling's fists slowly clenched.
Xiao Lao turned back to him.
"To become truly powerful, your foundation must be solid. If it's weak, your cultivation may stall—or worse, destroy you from within."
He stepped closer, voice dropping to a deadly whisper.
"There are people who rise fast using external force—elixirs, dangerous methods, shortcuts. Their meridians weaken over time. Eventually, they lose control. Their spiritual energy goes wild, and their bodies burn with black fire."
Tang Ling's breath caught at the image.
"Others lose their ability to cultivate forever. Crippled by their own impatience. You want to be one of them?"
Tang Ling shook his head hard. "No, Master."
Xiao Lao gave a slight grin.
"Good. Then remember this—your first lesson is foundation. Strong and steady. You get that right, and you'll survive long enough to truly chase power."
Xiao Lao took out the body of the Silver Jade Snake that Tang Ling had defeated, as well as a larger, more imposing Silver Jade Snake. The latter's spiritual energy was denser and more concentrated.
Tang Ling stared at the beast's body, his eyes widening in amazement. "Master, this one looks much more powerful than mine. Where did you find it?"
Xiao Lao casually responded, "Ah, this one? It's the beast you sensed while fighting the Silver Jade Snake."
A thought flashed through Tang Ling's mind: So, that overwhelming presence I felt earlier—it was this beast? How strong must Master be to defeat it?
Xiao Lao moved a little farther from the campfire, sitting down to eat his fish while dropping both beast bodies near Tang Ling.
"Come, sit," he called. "Listen carefully, and follow my instructions. If you can't absorb any more spiritual energy, stop. Don't force it."
Tang Ling, finishing his grilled fish, curiously followed Xiao Lao. "Don't worry, Master. I will follow your guidance."
Xiao Lao nodded and began, "Now, calm your mind and close your eyes."
Tang Ling did as instructed, sitting cross-legged and steadying his breath.
Xiao Lao raised one hand, gently touching Tang Ling's forehead with his finger. As the finger made contact, words of spiritual energy, began to flow from his fingertip, weaving into Tang Ling's mind.
In middle of spiritual transfer, Xiao Lao pulled his hand back, but before he could stop, something strange happened. A force, powerful yet uncontrollable, pulled his finger back toward Tang Ling's forehead. The spiritual words continued to transfer into Tang Ling.
Xiao Lao tried to break free but couldn't, his hand still forced upon Tang Ling's forehead. His voice was tinged with confusion. "This... what is happening?"
Xiao Lao was taken aback, a rare moment of shock crossing his face. He quickly masked it behind his usual stern expression. "Hmph. Lucky brat. I couldn't even learn that technique. Since you've inherited it, take this. It was found with the technique in an ancient relic."
He handed over a red box with intricate, ancient patterns from his storage ring.
Tang Ling eagerly grabbed the box, trying to pry it open. However, despite his efforts, it wouldn't budge. "Master, I can't open it. It's not working."
Xiao Lao's face darkened with irritation. "You brat, you've just received a technique, and now you want to open this box? When you're strong enough, then you can open it. For now, forget about it."
As he watched Tang Ling, Xiao Lao thought to himself, Hahaha! I've truly found a treasure boy.
Xiao Lao bit into his grilled fish and sighed. "No... it's finished. That fish was too good. I want more."
He glanced at Tang Ling. "You've gained a lot from me today. Time to repay the favor. Make a hundred more grilled fish."
"A hundred?!" Tang Ling's eyes bulged.
Xiao Lao chuckled, scratching his head and looking sheepish. "Yes, a hundred. After that... battle with that... uh... silver jade fish, I'm starving! The fight was so intense, I completely lost track of my appetite... well, not really, but you get the point!"
Tang Ling's lips curled into a smile as he understood the subtle hint. Xiao Lao was clearly fond of his grilled fish. With a playful yet respectful nod, Tang Ling pounded his chest, confidently saying, "Don't worry, Master. I'll make enough fish that you won't even want to look at another one after Iʼm done absorbing the spiritual energy from that beast."
With his task set, Tang Ling sat down cross-legged near the beast's body, preparing to absorb its spiritual energy. He placed his hands on his knees and began forming intricate signs with his fingers, focusing entirely on the process, activating the technique.
Golden threads of energy began drifting from the beast into Tang Ling's body.
Xiao Lao moved a few paces back, mindful not to disturb his disciple as he focused on absorbing the spiritual energy. He watched with quiet attention, understanding the importance of this moment in Tang Ling's training, but for now, the boy needed space to learn on his own.
As Xiao Lao shifted his gaze, he casually glanced at the dirt near the fire. There, partially hidden beneath a few scattered embers, was a drawing—Tang Ling's sketch from earlier.
"He's even a weapon designer? At this age? That's tier one level..."
Suddenly, Tang Ling's breathing faltered.
"What now? It's barely been half an hour."
Xiao Lao rushed over. Tang Ling was burning with fever, his face pale. Xiao Lao's expression darkened. "It's not the spiritual energy... it's poison."
He quickly examined Tang Ling's body, checking every wound with sharp precision. When his eyes landed on the bandaged left leg, his face twisted in frustration.
"Damn it!" he growled. "The poison's already spread through your body. You reckless brat—bandaging it without treating the venom first? Do you want to die?"
After scolding Tang Ling, Xiao Lao swiftly retrieved a box containing two golden needles from his ring. He opened it and, with a speed that looked like lethal intent, launched the first needle with two fingers towards Tang Ling's neck vein. It moved with such force and precision that it looked like a direct assassination attempt. Yet, with uncanny accuracy, only the very tip of the needle pierced Tang Ling's skin, entering the vein. This initial pinpoint insertion can be called skill or luck.
Then, with a chillingly similar motion, he took out the last needle and launched it. His aim was undeniably directed at the exact entry point of the first, looking as if he intended to drive it deeper and finish the murder job. The second needle struck the same pinpoint location. Instead of the expected brutal impact, it gently dislodged the first needle, causing it to fall harmlessly. This subsequent precise strike of the second needle onto the same point, resulting in the first's ejection, can only be called skill or incredible skill.
The space left by the first needle immediately began to seep dark blue, poisoned blood. The second needle, now occupying the same pinpoint location, acted as a lure, drawing out the toxins through the open wound with surprising efficiency. The rapid flow of the dark liquid looked like confirmation of a deadly attack.
Only when the last drop of poisoned blood had been expelled did the bleeding cease. Xiao Lao calmly withdrew the second needle and picked up the first from the ground, his earlier actions now revealed as a masterful dark liquid looked like confirmation of a deadly attack.
Only when the last drop of poisoned blood had been expelled did the bleeding cease. Xiao Lao calmly withdrew the second needle and picked up the first from the ground, his earlier actions now revealed just how lucky he was—there was no way it was skill, just ultimate luck.
Despite everything, Tang Ling remained focused on absorbing the spiritual energy from the beast. His face gradually relaxed, and the fever that had gripped him finally began to fade.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the trees, Tang Ling slowly opened his eyes. "Teacher," he said with a soft smile, "I haven't wasted a single drop of the beast's spiritual energy. I absorbed it all."
He blinked a few times, then looked over to see Xiao Lao sitting silently, his head lowered. To his surprise, the old man was asleep, still in a seated position, eyes half-open as if watching him even in slumber. Realizing that morning had arrived, Tang Ling quietly stood up and stretched.
Without a word, he made his way to the river. With swift, fluid movements, he jumped into the water and began hunting fish with his bare hands. One by one, he caught them, tossing each wriggling catch onto the riverbank before diving back for more.
In just under an hour, he had caught a hundred fish. Though clearly exhausted, he didn't rest. Instead, he gathered firewood from his stockpile and lit a fire. He began grilling the fish, seasoning each one with care and skewering them on rods.
The delicious aroma of grilled fish eventually reached Xiao Lao's nose, and the old man stirred awake. He glanced around, confused for a moment, then spotted Tang Ling by the fire.
Walking over, Xiao Lao sat down beside him and said, "So, the brat remembered his promise."
Inwardly, he thought, This boy is tough. After all that, he's still standing. A normal person would be bedridden for days.
Tang Ling grinned. "Thanks for your hard work, Teacher." He offered all the finished skewers with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry, Master… I couldn't catch more than a hundred fish."
Xiao Lao raised a brow. "A hundred?! You stupid brat! First you did something foolish, and now you're doing it again. I told you that as a joke, and you actually took it seriously?" He snatched thirty skewers for himself and handed the rest back. "Here. You need more food than me for nutrition."
After they finished eating, Tang Ling asked, "Master, when will we leave the forest?"
"No rush," Xiao Lao replied. "We'll go once your foundation is firm and your meridians are properly opened. You absorbed the energy of two Lingqi Shi-stage beasts yesterday. How do you feel?"
Tang Ling clenched his fists. "My body feels… full of power."
"Good," said Xiao Lao. "But remember, do not use that spiritual energy. Store it. Meditate for three hours daily. This will increase your capacity to hold spiritual power and help you open the first two meridians."
Meridians are the channels that let energy flow freely through the body. There are twelve in total. Opening even one feels like a thousand ants biting you from the inside—a mountain of pain.
"Now," Xiao Lao continued, "let's begin your physical training. From today, you will hunt one hundred fish each morning. And each day, the number will double."
Tang Ling blinked in disbelief. "Wait—Master, are we going to eat all those fish? I barely managed to eat them today."
He glanced behind the tree where he'd hidden the leftovers. Those half-eaten fish glared at Tang Ling like guilty witnesses to a food crime.
Xiao Lao waved a hand dismissively. "No, you're not eating them. Just catch and release them back into the water. Then catch more."
"It's training to build strength, not about wasting food."
Tang Ling hesitated. "Master… can we skip this training? I barely survived today's hundred…"
Xiao Lao looked him dead in the eye and said, "Two hundred."
"How about just one—" Tang Ling tried again.
"Four hundred."
Tang Ling's jaw dropped. He raised his hands and slapped them over his mouth before another word could escape. "M-Master, I'm going! Iʼm going!" he cried and bolted toward the river like a man fleeing death.
As he ran off, Xiao Lao shouted, "No cheating! I'm watching you!"
"Why is he so strict?! I'm going to die of exhaustion..." Tang Ling muttered.
"Ahhh..."