World Controlling God Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Bitterly Practicing External Skill

The excitement surrounding Ling Xiao’s return simmered down after a few days.

Ling Xiao was not concerned at all; he’s still tirelessly practicing his cultivation every day. Besides using Three Parts Return Vital Energy to solidify his xuan strength every night, he would devote most of the day practicing Vajra Five Transformation Secret Art. The remaining time would be spent in the library researching the history of this continent and generally increasing his knowledge of this world.

Right now, Ling Xiao only knows the first two transformations of Vajra Five Transformation Secret Art, separated into the first transformation, “Skin Refining,” and the second transformation, “Muscle Refining.”

To practice “Skin Refining,” he needs to first reinforce his body’s structural strength until he achieves the absolute pinnacle of external resistance. This approach is different from the Iron s.h.i.+rt and Golden Bell Exercise that Ling Xiao learned in his previous life, but the final result is the same.

Ling Xiao had practiced many eye-catching martial arts in his past life, but no defensive style external skill. His purpose for cultivating Vajra Five Transformation Secret Art is to have one more card up his sleeve while he’s still not strong enough to defend himself. At the very least, he wouldn’t get completely run over by those stronger than him.

For the fifth consecutive day, Ling Xiao completed a number of calisthenics exercises in the morning, such as long-distance running, leap frog drills, push-ups, and so on.

By high noon, when the sun was directly overhead, he took off his s.h.i.+rt to stand under the ardent sunlight for four hours before jumping into a tub of cold water. After cooling off, he started conditioning himself by taking blows to the body.

This is a fundamental step of “Skin Refining.” The first transformation may seem simple in theory, but the torturous cultivation method is not something just anyone can do.

Ling Xiao had only been practicing cultivation for a little over a month and has become a low-rank xuan pract.i.tioner. After a few days of “Skin Refining,” his entire body seems stronger, and his dark glowing skin appeared br.i.m.m.i.n.g with vitality.

At noon on the sixth day, Ling Xiao practiced like any other day in his horse stance with his upper body bared, carrying two barrels of water in his outstretched arms as he roasted under the scorching, blistering heat.

His handsome face displayed an unswerving determination as sweat poured off of him. His tanned muscled is now a shade of dark red, as if he had been roasting on a grill and the meat on his body is ready to serve. The buckets in his hands were filled to the brim, yet the water remained absolutely still, not a hint of trembling can be seen.

Fairly soon, ripples started to appear on the water surface as if it were to spill out, only to see Ling Xiao clench his teeth and persevered. He looked ahead at his reverse image on the water surface, madly shouting in his heart, “Keep going….keep it up…it’s almost four hours.”

Finally, when his reverse image arrived at the predetermined position, Ling Xiao’s mind relaxed, allowing a few drops of water to splash out from the buckets. Ling Xiao turned around and took two steps forward, pouring the water in the buckets into a man-sized cask, before jumping into the cask himself.

“Hiss…” Just as Ling Xiao entered the water, a faint sound seemed to issue forth in the span of a few seconds. Ling Xiao’s expression immediately changed and cannot help but let out a “Ss!” sound.

At this moment, it is precisely the fizzling sound of his burning hot body’s sudden encounter with the cold water, just like a block of red hot iron being quenched in water.

Ling Xiao gritted his teeth as he begins to operate the Vajra Five Transformation Secret Art.

Gradually, Ling Xiao’s nerves loosened up, and his face was no longer twisted in pain.

After a while, Ling Xiao jumped out of the cask and shouted, “d.a.m.n that hurts. I must really have nothing better to do! Why did I have to pick this cultivation method? If someone were to see me like this, they’d probably think I’m some kind of hardcore m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.t.”

Even though Ling Xiao’s complaining, he’s stubborn by nature and will persist on once he sets his mind to something.

……

As the days pa.s.sed by, there was a palpable excitement in the air as the Ling Family prepared for a grand occasion; the annual family test will be held three days later at the inner court training field.

All of Ling Family’s younger generation intensified their training. Everyone was striving to promote their strength whether they were martial apprentice rank or xuan pract.i.tioner rank. If their strength hasn’t improved considerably since last year, then they will become the family’s laughingstock. In the Ling Family, strength and talent are even more important than life itself.

If one’s strength does not improve for two consecutive years, they will be expelled from the inner court and arranged to manage one of the many Ling Family businesses outside the clan or act as a guard protecting Ling Family businesses. Either way, one’s status in the Ling Family will plummet.

If one doesn’t break through to xuan pract.i.tioner by 20 years old, they will also be sent outside. It is evident how much Ling Family valued the martial tradition and one of the primary reasons why the Ling Family has kept their place above the Li and Luo Families.

Ling Xiao is indifferent to all this as if it has nothing to do with him. He has constantly been practicing and teaching Bai Yu Xi whenever he has free time.

Bai Yu Xi had always considered Ling Xiao as her Young Master, but Ling Xiao had never seen her as a maid. Besides allowing her to do some simple tasks for him, he would not let her do any heavy work. After returning to the inner court, the family had arranged for four servants to serve his family: two males and two females. Ling Xiao let his mother organize the work for these four people, so Bai Yu Xi had a lot more free time.

Ling Xiao had decided long ago to have Bai Yu Xi by his side for the rest of his life. He did not want his own beautiful sister to become a plaything for other men. He likes woman like any straight man, especially beautiful women, so he chose to be selfish. He will only let Bai Yu Xi go if she falls in love with someone, but he will definitely not allow something like this to happen. What kind of man wouldn’t like to be surrounded by beautiful women?

The truth of the matter is that Ling Xiao had underestimated his place in Bai Yu Xi’s heart. Once she had decided to serve Ling Xiao as her Young Master, she will not betray him for the rest of her life.

Ling Xiao had planned on imparting Three Parts Return Vital Energy to Bai Yu Xi, but this cultivation method was too overbearing and wasn’t suited for female cultivation. After racking his brain, he gave Bai Yu Xi an internal skill cultivation method suitable for females from his past life, Water Moon Divine Skill, and also taught her a set of matching sword skill, Water Moon Sword Form.

This cultivation method and sword skill were created by Ling Xiao’s Master Aunt from his previous life, Shui Yue. Master Aunt Shui Yue was an extraordinary expert second only to his own crafty old master and only received on female disciple throughout his life. Unfortunately, she had been killed by the Ghost Sect, and, in her anger, she used Water Moon Sword Form to cut down twelve experts from the Ghost Sect. Master Aunt Shui Yue was only forced to stay her hand when Ghost Sect’s Head personally came forward. Henceforth, she never received another disciple, but pa.s.sed on the cultivation method and sword skill mnemonics to Ling Xiao, telling him to treat it as a gift for Ling Xiao’s future wife.

Ling Xiao would often recall Master Aunt Shui Yue’s aging yet still attractive appearance, and a smile would always surface on his face. It was only a pity that time cannot flow backward.

“Ow!” A soft voice cried out.

Ling Xiao snapped out of his daydream only to see Bai Yu Xi sitting on the ground with a pained expression on her face. Ling Xiao hurried over, “What happened, Yu Xi?”

Bai Yu Xi turned to look at Ling Xiao and forced a smile, “Young Master, I-I’m fine.” She intended to stand up, but her foot was overwhelmed by a burst of pain causing her to stumble back toward the ground.

“Be careful!” Ling Xiao’s body flashed, quickly appearing by Bai Yu Xi’s side to help her up.

“Did you twist your ankle? You cannot be hasty when practicing martial arts.” Ling Xiao said with a concerned voice.

Bai Yu Xi kept her head down and did not answer him.

Lin Xiao was about to ask again, but suddenly felt two wonderfully soft and supple sensations pressing on his arm.

Ling Xiao took a look and discovered his arm wrapped around Bai Yu Xi’s bosom, firmly holding on to her two b.r.e.a.s.t.s. No wonder it had felt so comfortable.

Ling Xiao looked slightly embarra.s.sed, and then gave a wry smile as he removed his perverted hands somewhat reluctantly, “So-sorry…”

“It-it’s nothing.” Bai Yu Xi softly replied, her face flushed red to the ears.

“Come, sit down and let me see if it’s sprained or not.” Ling Xiao quickly changed the topic but thought in his heart, “That was the perfect bounciness!”

Ling Xiao helped Bai Yu Xi to the edge of the stone bench before taking off her shoes, revealing the delicate jade-like foot that makes people want to touch.

Ling Xiao gently caressed the swollen red ankle and then said apologetically, “It’s swelling, but it’s not too bad. I’ll bring some cool water to soothe your ankle and then you should be okay after I ma.s.sage it a bit.”

After Ling Xiao had finished speaking, he went to fetch the water.

Bai Yu Xi lifts up her delicate pink face to look at Ling Xiao’s retreating figure, as a loving smile bloomed on her face as if all her pain had completely disappeared at this moment.

“Young Master…is so sweet!” Bai Yu Xi silently whispered in her heart.

After Ling Xiao had drawn the water, he soaked Bai Yu Xi’s slender foot in the water and then transferred some xuan strength into her ankle to help reduce the swelling.

Soon after, the lump on Bai Yu Xi’s ankle disappeared.

Ling Xiao carefully helped Bai Yu Xi put on her shoes and asked, “Okay, take the rest of the day off. Take this time to meditate, and you should be all right by tomorrow.”

Bai Yu Xi nodded, her face reddened as she answered, “Thank you, Young Master.”

“Silly girl, there’s no need to be so polite. You are Young Master’s woma-step sister! It’s only right for a brother to look out for his sister.” Ling Xiao said with a laugh, almost divulging his secret thoughts.

Bai Yu Xi looked directly at Ling Xiao and said, “Young Master, do you think I’m dumb?”

“Why do you ask?” Ling Xiao said slightly startled.

“I’m still not able to grasp the sword move you taught me.” Bai Yu Xi said a little embarra.s.sed.

“Silly girl, you’ve only been practicing for a few days. Kung fu is not something you can learn in a day. Believe in yourself, and you might just surpa.s.s me shortly.” Ling Xiao comforted.

“I don’t want to surpa.s.s Young Master. I just don’t want to Young Master down.” Bai Yu Xi repeatedly waved her arms and said.

Ling Xiao laughed and was about to speak, but a clear startling voice rang from within the house.

“Haha, I’ve broken through again!” The voice came from the direction of the study, so there was no need to guess who it was; it must have been Ling Zhan.

After Ling Xiao had given Ling Zhan the thousand years old Crow King Ginseng, Ling Zhan had been diligently cultivating Three Parts Return Vital Energy while absorbing the Crow King Ginseng’s medicinal properties. This is the fifth time he broke through.

Ling Zhan briskly walked out of the room in high spirits, looking radiant, not a trace of that former slovenly, down and out demeanor remains.

Meng Xi Yun revealed a look of delight as she came out of the house together with her husband and asked in an excited voice, “Brother Zhan, have you become a fifth-rank martial apprentice?”

Ling Zhan looked at his beautiful wife with warm eyes and nodded, “Yes. I’ve already broke through the sixth meridian, and it won’t take more than a month before I can become a xuan pract.i.tioner again.”

“That’s wonderful.” Meng Xi Yun exclaimed. Even in her wildest dream, she would never expect both her husband and son will be able to practice cultivation again. She was extremely proud in her heart that they were able to get rid of “Crippled Father and Son” moniker. All the grievances over the years vanished at this moment.

“Xi Yun, I’ve made you suffer all these years. I swear that I’ll do right by you from now on.” Ling Zhan held his wife’s hands and solemnly declared.