Ling Tian Sword God

”Not difficult?”

Ling Xue wasn’t sure if Ling Chen truly had enough confidence or was just overly confident. Even those guys didn’t dare say outright that they could win, yet Ling Chen was so certain in asserting his victory.

After all, the opponents Ling Chen was about to face were all tricky foes. The Ling Family had a rule that those under the age of forty could gain a chance to enter the Sword Pool for cultivation. However, in reality, those who could actually enter were less than a tenth, meaning Ling Chen’s opponents were not just limited to the younger generation.

He had to face Ling Family experts who were five or even over ten years older than him.

”Whether it’s difficult or not will be verified soon enough.”

Ling Tingfeng didn’t say much more; although Ling Chen’s cultivation was somewhat lacking, his talent and bloodline were enough to compensate for the difference. It just depended on how well Ling Chen could leverage his advantages.

”As for the privileged treatment at the Sword Pool, this is a privilege granted to very few within the Ling Family. For you, a newly joined branch family disciple, to get it will inevitably cause some people at the Ancestral House to feel imbalanced. How you resolve this imbalance is up to your own capability; that’s not our concern.” Ling Tingfeng said flatly.

”Understood.”

Ling Chen nodded slightly; there were no free lunches. Everything had to be fought for. Those who grew up at the Ling Family Ancestral Residence would certainly dislike a newcomer branch family disciple taking their resources.

When the time comes, there will surely be a lot of entanglement.

However, Ling Chen also knew if he successfully handled these troubles, entering the Sword Pool would naturally be seamless. But if he were defeated by others, then the quota Ling Tingfeng promised him would fall into someone else’s hands.

This was essentially Ling Tingfeng testing him, to see how his strength fared, and whether he was all flash and no substance.

”Ling Yu, with your qualifications and conditions, as long as you can study diligently and practice hard, the top-tier swordsmanship and secret arts of the Ling Family will be open to you after a while.”

Ling Chen was new to the scene, and Ling Tingfeng certainly knew how to pace things, not imposing too much pressure on him. Appropriate pressure could accelerate one’s progress, but excessively high pressure only discouraged people and gave rise to a negative mindset.

”Thank you, Family Head.”

Ling Chen maintained a calm demeanor, yet he cupped his fists in thanks.

”Ling Xue, in the coming period, I’ll entrust Ling Yu to you. You’re responsible for introducing him to the basics and acquainting him with some family affairs.”

Ling Tingfeng addressed Ling Xue beside him.

”Yes.”

Ling Xue nodded in agreement, having no objection. Since she brought Ling Yu in, naturally it would be her to guide him. The Ling Family, although seemingly unified as one family, actually consisted of various branches and factions internally. For example, she and Ling Yuxuan belonged to different branches.

Ling Yuxuan hailed from the Elder Branch, while she, Ling Xue, belonged to the third branch.

The Ling Family encouraged internal branch competition, fostering growth through rivalry. Hence, relations between the third branch and Elder Branch were quite ordinary, even harboring some accumulated tensions.

With Ling Chen being brought in by her, it was only logical for him to align with their third branch.

She could sense a hint of Ling Tingfeng’s intention; within the current Ling Family, the Elder Branch’s influence was overwhelmingly strong, and no other branch could directly challenge it, not even the third branch.

However, with Ling Chen’s inclusion, their third branch undeniably gained a boost of confidence. At least among the younger generation, they possessed the capability to contend against the Elder Branch.

”Alright, Ling Xue, take Ling Yu down now to familiarize with the surroundings.”

Ling Tingfeng waved his hand, speaking calmly.

”Yes.”

Ling Xue cupped her fists and then looked at Ling Chen, ”Ling Yu, come with me.”

Nodding his head, Ling Chen cupped his hands towards Ling Tingfeng and the others before following Ling Xue out of the Ling Family Ancestral Hall.

After Ling Chen had exited the hall, an Elder next to Ling Tingfeng suddenly spoke, ”Family Head, this Ling Yu has just entered the family, and his background is yet to be fully cleared. Offering him entry into such a family sacred ground as the Sword Pool seems rather hasty.”

”What’s hasty about it?”

Ling Tingfeng responded indifferently, ”To start with, Ling Yu’s bloodline is undeniably genuine. Since he’s part of the Ling Family, he’s worthy of such treatment. Now the entire family knows he possesses the Supreme Bloodline; letting him into the Sword Pool is perfectly fine. Denying him this opportunity would indeed be problematic.”

”Additionally, I have another consideration. Don’t you all think Ling Yuxuan has become increasingly complacent?”

”That boy considers himself invincible, showing no regard for any peer. Having Ling Yu around might pressure that boy, as well as inform him that the next Family Head might not necessarily be him.”

Upon hearing this, the Ling Family Elder next to Ling Tingfeng’s eyes suddenly squinted, realizing that Ling Tingfeng indeed had such an intention.

Given Ling Yuxuan’s talent, bloodline, and current cultivation prowess, the likelihood of him becoming the next Family Head was almost certain. Yet with Ling Yu’s appearance—an equal talent capable of rivalling Ling Yuxuan—what seemed impossible now turned into possibility.

Ling Yuxuan’s position was no longer impregnable but showed signs of wavering.

”Ling Yu contending with Ling Yuxuan might still be premature.” Another Elder shook his head, perceiving Ling Chen decent but somewhat lacking compared to Ling Yuxuan.

”You shouldn’t hastily conclude.”

Ling Tingfeng’s eyes gleamed, ”The true nature of Ling Yu, his strength, and potential remain unknown. I perceive him not necessarily less compared to Ling Yuxuan.”

”Nonetheless, no matter the case, we need to further investigate Ling Yu’s background. Dispatch someone to Xunyang City to see whether any descendants of that branch are still there to inquire about the existence of Ling Yu.”

”Understood.”

The Elder nodded, even though Ling Chen was tested to have the Supreme Sword Saint Bloodline, they remained cautious about an unclear-origin clansman and must thoroughly investigate Ling Chen’s background.

”Ling Yu, oh Ling Yu, don’t disappoint me,” Ling Tingfeng pondered silently, precisely as Ling Xue anticipated. His reason for pairing Ling Chen with Ling Xue was to leverage his influence to bolster the third branch. However, that concept depended on Ling Chen being capable of challenging Ling Yuxuan, or at least demonstrating the potential to do so, otherwise Ling Chen risked abandonment. No branch would invest effort into nurturing an empty reputation and even more so, an outsider.