Chapter 523 - 346: Come Back with Me

When Ling Xiao left to train and gain experience, he had given specific instructions. If they found children of exceptional talent, they were absolutely not to be given any performance-enhancing drugs. This was because for such children, taking any kind of performance-enhancing drug before reaching Foundation Establishment did more harm than good.

For children with average talent, however, they were to use the Elixirs he left behind and the Ice Crystal Celestial Silkworms from the Ice Sea Secret Race to increase their strength. Cultivating them from a young age and using medicine to brute-force the creation of experts was one of Ling Xiao's primary goals in establishing his sect.

These children of humble origins had lived in the Shushan Sword Sect since they were young, so their loyalty was a given. And even if a few were to betray him, Ling Xiao was confident he had methods to deal with them.

When the time was right, he would pass on the methods for Refining Elixirs to his most trusted followers. This would fundamentally guarantee that the Shushan Sword Sect's glory would endure.

Because of this rule, the ten disciples, including Tian Yuan, were not actually the ten strongest in the Shushan Sword Sect. But everyone knew that their strength had been cultivated entirely through their own hard work. That was why, even those in the sect who had used medicine to surpass Tian Yuan's power would still greet him with a respectful "Senior Brother!"

Everyone knew these ten had limitless potential.

...

"Many people believe that because the ten of you have become my disciples, your futures will be limitless. Tell me, do you think so as well?"

In a secret chamber, Ling Xiao's expression was impassive as he calmly watched the ten somewhat nervous youths standing before him, observing the mix of innocence and determination on their faces. He was suddenly reminded of himself when he first arrived in this world. 'In the blink of an eye, five or six years have passed. And now, in the eyes of many, I suppose I've become someone who can't be ignored, haven't I?'

'But… that's all it is.'

Ling Xiao was certain there were families in this world with incredibly deep foundations—truly hidden clans that wouldn't reveal themselves to the public over trivial matters.

That was why every time he saw Lie Yang's "I'm number one in the world and all treasures should be mine" expression, Ling Xiao felt the urge to grind that handsome face under his boot. 'That would probably… be so satisfying, wouldn't it?'

To a truly great clan, he was currently just a somewhat capable young man, nothing more. In fact, Ling Xiao knew perfectly well that even the Lie Family was only wary of his Arrays. As for him as a person, they didn't give him a second thought.

Therefore, Ling Xiao paid no mind to the goodwill the Lie Family was currently showing him, and he was sure they felt the same way. Not wanting to offend someone was an entirely different concept from being afraid of them.

So, if he wanted to instill fear in the Lie Family, and in the many clans even stronger than them, the best method was to build a sect with greater power and a deeper foundation than any of theirs!

The ambition Ling Xiao kept hidden beneath his handsome exterior was far beyond what an ordinary person could fathom. The Lie Family, at least, would never understand it.

'In fifty years, the Shushan Sword Sect will have at least ten experts at the Sword Venerable Realm! In one hundred years, it will have at least one hundred Sword Venerable experts and more than five at the Sword Saint Realm! And as for the Holy Sanctuary… my Shushan Sword Sect disciples will come and go as they please!'

At this moment, a hint of the pride unique to a true Cultivator finally manifested in Ling Xiao.

He dared to imagine things others wouldn't even dream of because he had personally witnessed the ascension of a Saint-level expert and had seen the Holy Sanctuary Gate with his own eyes.

To others, the Holy Sanctuary was as mysterious as a young woman's breasts, an enigma wrapped in secrecy. But for Ling Xiao, who had personally experienced Crossing the Celestial Tribulation, the very idea made him want to laugh in disbelief. By now, he was almost certain that the Holy Sanctuary was simply another world—or, to put it more bluntly, another planet!

And that palace, which resembled an Immortal Mansion, was nothing more than a special Teleportation Array!

'That little trick is hardly more advanced than a Blinding Technique, yet they surround it with so much deliberate mystery! They're really playing the Martial Artists of the Canglan Continent for fools!'

Ling Xiao felt a sense of injustice for the Martial Artists of the Canglan Continent. As for the Holy Sanctuary, all he felt was a sliver of curiosity and anticipation. After all, the people there were far stronger than anyone in the Mortal World. Thus, what Ling Xiao felt toward the Holy Sanctuary was, more than anything, a surging will to fight!

As for reverence… Ling Xiao didn't feel a single shred of that damnable emotion.

Moreover, Ling Xiao was now absolutely certain that large numbers of future Shushan Sword Sect disciples would be able to ascend to the Holy Sanctuary. But the ones he personally trained as true Cultivators would walk another path entirely.

"Yes, Master! By following you, we will surely have a better future than anyone else!"

The speaker was Ling Xiao's head disciple, Tian Yuan. The youth was gazing at Ling Xiao with pure adoration. It was a look Ling Xiao knew well. Back when he was eight years old in the Shushan Sword Sect, on the day he formally became a disciple, the way he had looked at his own master was no different from how Tian Yuan was looking at him now.

"What about the rest of you? Do you all believe you'll have a promising future by following me?" Ling Xiao asked softly, looking at the nine remaining boys.

The nine boys all looked at Ling Xiao with fervent eyes and nodded without a shred of hesitation.

Ling Xiao gave a wry smile and shook his head. "The path I am leading you down... is completely different from the cultivation of this world's Martial Artists. In the future… Never mind. I just hope that one day, you won't come to resent me for it."