This kind of thought is quite normal.
Itâs because Ding Ling felt something.
With just this bit of Inner Strength, he couldnât harm a single hair on him.
If it really were the Inner Strength Value of a First-class Expert, it would definitely not have such an effect.
"It seems that the Inner Strength Value in the Martial World is somewhat greater than the value of the bodyâs Four-dimensional Attributes."
Ding Ling contemplated:
"A 98 point Inner Strength Value is only comparable to a third-rate expert. How much Inner Strength Value does a First-class Expert need?"
Ding Ling didnât know.
This requires him to slowly explore.
But the growth of Inner Strength.
Still brought him much joy.
Because he knew that when the Vigorous Qi of the Breathing Technique fused with Inner Strength, it would unleash explosive effects.
Previously, he had only used a mere 20 Inner Strength Value, combined with the Vigorous Qi of the Breathing Technique, to compete with Bai Wushuangâs Palm Force and achieve a stalemate.
And now 98 points of Inner Strength Value combined with the Vigorous Qi of the Breathing Technique would definitely unleash an even more ferocious and explosive effect.
Ding Ling tentatively exerted the Vigorous Qi of the Breathing Technique and all his Inner Strength Value.
Rumble!
A muffled thunder erupted in the void before the Vigorous Qi was even released, with thunderous sounds bursting and dissipating outwards.
Ding Ling was taken aback; he quickly dissipated the Vigorous Qi and was secretly delighted:
"I never thought that the fusion of the Vigorous Qi of the Breathing Technique with Inner Strength would produce chemical reaction-like magical effects. Incredible! It seems that as the Breathing Technique continues to increase and Inner Strength continues to rise in the future, this Vigorous Qi could create earth-shattering effects when unleashed."
Ding Ling was expectant.
He stepped out of the room and glanced at the sky.
It was somewhat dark.
It seemed that quite some time had passed.
Sure enough.
After taking just two steps, he saw Lin Pingzhi waiting at the side. Upon seeing Ding Ling, Lin Pingzhiâs spirits lifted, and his previously tired and slack expression was instantly banished, turning into excitement:
"Master!"
"Hmm. Where is Fei Bin?"
"Heâs gone."
Lin Pingzhi appeared a bit dejected, as if he had been humiliated, and the whole person seemed somewhat dejected and disheartened:
"He said heâd come back tomorrow to see Master. If Master continues to refuse guests, it would mean deliberately belittling him, Fei Bin, and showing disrespect to the people from the Mount Songh Sect."
"Heh."
Ding Ling chuckled lightly. He didnât ask Lin Pingzhi about the specifics, as he could tell that Lin Pingzhi must have been humiliated by Fei Bin. Ding Ling would, of course, settle this score with Fei Bin in time:
"Iâll see him tomorrow. For now, letâs go have a meal together. I can guide you a bit on martial arts where youâre unsure."
"Yes, Master!"
...
The next day.
Ding Ling sat at the chief seat in the branch hallâs living room.
Sitting to the right in the living room were two people.
One, broad-shouldered and robust, sat unmoving like a mountain, full of smiles, resembling a God of Wealth, was Fei Bin;
The other, slender and gloomy-faced, with a breezy demeanor, was Lu Bai.
They were two of the Thirteen Grand Protectors of Mount Songh, both junior brothers of Zuo Lengchan.
After finishing the tea.
Fei Bin took the initiative to stand up and said:
"Ding Ling, I wonât waste words. Iâll get straight to the point."
He paused, seeing Ding Ling didnât react at all, and continued:
"We came this time hoping to invite you to join the Mount Songh Sect."
"Whatâs in it for me?"
Ding Ling asked.
"Hmm?!"
Fei Bin was taken aback. He had expected Ding Ling might refuse, envisioned a big fight, prepared for a cold reception, and even imagined a pleasant collaboration... but he did not expect Ding Lingâs first words to be directly asking for benefits.
This caught him off guard.
But soon after.
He steadied himself and solemnly said:
"The benefits are countless, provided that Ding Ling, you can join us."
"I donât want anything else. Just bring the Martial Arts Secret Manual from the Mount Songh Sect for me to browse through."
"Oh?"
Fei Bin was skeptical:
"Just browse through it and then return it?"
"Correct."
Ding Ling said boldly:
"As long as you can do it. Everything is negotiable."
"This..."
Fei Bin hesitated for some time and said:
"I canât make this decision by myself. I need to discuss it thoroughly with my fellow brothers."
"Alright. I await your good news."
Ding Ling smiled mildly and said.
Some time later.
Fei Bin and Lu Bai both left.
They came hurriedly.
They left even quicker.
Lin Pingzhi was somewhat stunned and whispered:
"Master, are we really going to join the Mount Songh Sect?"
"Whoâs to say?"
Ding Lingâs eyes were deep, without any ripples:
"When the time comes, youâll naturally know."
...
Fei Bin and Lu Bai acted swiftly.
They left in the morning.
And returned in the afternoon.
With them came over a dozen Secret Manuals.
They presented the Secret Manuals and said:
"Ding Ling, this is our heartfelt gesture and our most sincere offer. Are you certain youâll join the Mount Songh Sect?"
"Once I finish browsing, I will give my reply."
Ding Ling stood with hands behind his back:
"Are you giving the manuals or not? One word."
"Weâll give them."
Fei Bin and Lu Bai exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and decided to take a gamble.
They didnât believe that anyone could memorize all these Secret Manuals in such a short time.
No matter how photographic a memory one might have, it couldnât be that exaggerated.
These are Martial Arts Secret Manuals!
Moreover.
These Martial Arts Secret Manuals, being third-rate and second-rate manuals, are not the Mountain Guardian Secret Technique of the Mount Songh Sect and were initially intended to deceive and placate Ding Ling, so even if Ding Ling memorized them, they wouldnât lose much.
In their perspective.
Cultivating First-class Secret Manuals for decades only led to progressively slower progress in their skills, and in recent years, it had virtually come to a halt.
Cultivating Second-rate and Third-rate Secret Manuals?
That would be a waste of time!
Even if these Secret Manuals were gifted to them, they wouldnât cultivate them!
However.
What they didnât know was.
Ding Ling precisely lacked Martial Arts Secret Manuals, and whether second-rate or third-rate, as long as they were Martial Arts Secret Manuals, he needed them.
He opened the first Secret Manual.
"Qianyuan Heart Method"
The name sounded illustrious.
Just seeing the name made Ding Lingâs spirits lift, and his eyes brighten a lot.
However, upon finishing it.
Ding Ling was utterly disappointed.
This Qianyuan Heart Method turned out to be just a third-rate Inner Power Heart Method Secret Manual, far inferior to the Middle Yuan Nine-section Skill.
Even so.
Ding Ling wasnât discontented, and he gently closed his eyes.
Soon after.
A book materialized on the bookshelf of the library.
"Full Level Qianyuan Heart Method"
"Inner Power Value +10"
In the blink of an eye.
The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi surged forth, pouring into Ding Lingâs body, opening some minor meridians and a small portion of the occluded meridians in the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
Ding Ling moved on to the next Secret Manual.
"Wulei Heart Method"
Rustling!
He quickly finished browsing.
Another book materialized on the libraryâs bookshelf.
"Full Level Wulei Heart Method"
"Inner Power Value +50"
Ding Ling was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Wulei Heart Method was actually a second-rate Inner Power Heart Method.
The Inner Power Value could directly increase by 50.
Along with the previous accumulations.
The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, swiftly refined into Inner Power, directly broke through one of the Eight Meridians.
Ding Lingâs breathing suddenly changed.
Becoming increasingly profound and boundless.
He started browsing the third Secret Manual.