While they stood in reverence, they couldnât help but secretly admonish themselves:
"Even someone as extraordinarily talented as Ding Ling knows to keep striving. What excuse do we have to slack off?"
One-Character Electric Sword Ding Jian saw Ding Lingâs relentless dedication to martial arts.
After much hesitation.
He decided to impart his martial arts knowledge to Ding Ling.
Because he had been observing closely during this period.
Ding Lingâs guidance to Huang Zhonggong and Dan Qingsheng in martial arts was precise, causing their skills to improve markedly.
Ding Jian was both envious and embarrassed, having no reason to ask Ding Ling for guidance, nor could he accept Ding Lingâs help without cause.
Yet now, seeing Ding Lingâs dedication to the secret manual.
He seized the opportunity to bring up the matter.
Ding Ling naturally had no objections.
Soon after.
Ding Jian imparted his most treasured sword technique to Ding Ling.
He merely performed it once.
Ding Ling closed his eyes slightly.
[One-Character Electric Sword Technique Full Level]
[Strength +0.1]
[Agility +0.1]
[Constitution +0.1]
In an instant.
Ding Ling fully grasped all the esoteric truths of this high-tier sword technique.
He opened his eyes, using his finger as a sword, and began to demonstrate. In the void, the swordâs light flashed with electricity, an astonishing and captivating display, the swordâs brilliance dazzled the heavens and charmed the heart!
Ding Jianâs heart and spirit trembled; despite knowing Ding Lingâs extraordinary abilities, frequently hearing from Dan Qingsheng and others about himâhis ears could practically grow callusesâstill, seeing the sword technique he had practiced for years without mastery being perfected by Ding Ling almost instantaneously, made him feel as if struck in the heart, as if hit by a critical blow!
He felt dejected and dispirited, for the first time sensing the gap between himself and a true genius.
Huang Zhonggong seemed to sense his mood and came over to console him:
"You canât compare to Ding Ling. Compare yourself to ordinary peopleâcompared to them, wouldnât you immediately regain your confidence and sense of superiority?"
"..."
Ding Jian was at a loss for words. For what Huang Zhonggong said made perfect sense!
He could only suppress his complex emotions and continue imparting all he had learned to Ding Ling.
Ding Ling quickly mastered the other low and middle-tier sword skills of Ding Jian.
Ding Jian looked at Ding Ling as if he were a deity.
Then, imparted the inner power heart method to Ding Ling.
Ding Ling also immediately reached full level.
[Inner Power Value +60]
Compared to the inner power heart methods of Huang Zhonggong and the others, Ding Jianâs was first-class but still lacking.
Even so.
It still added 60 points to the inner power value.
In an instant, primordial qi gathered from all directions, engulfing Ding Ling.
Ding Ling stood still, inhaling and exhaling rapidly, exercising the Pure Yang True Skill, converting inner power to true power.
He could clearly sense.
The second drop of true water in his dantian became increasingly solid and heavy, as if it might split into a third drop at any moment!
Ding Ling glanced at his status panel:
Strength: [Bone Structure 2 (ordinary humans 1 point), Intelligence 3, Strength 38.4, Agility 39.1, Constitution 38.8, Defense 36.7, Charm 11. True Power Value: 2 points]
Previously, Ding Lingâs panel: Strength 37.8, Agility 38.4, Constitution 37.7.
With each full level of sword technique.
The attributes rose to their current levels.
Lately, Ding Ling had felt increasingly strongly:
"The four-dimensional attributes are nearing their peak, but how much more can this world accommodate?"
Ding Ling thought no more.
After solemnly thanking Ding Jian, he promised to guide and instruct Ding Jian in the coming period.
Ding Jianâs motive was precisely this, so he couldnât help but show a delighted expression.
Soon afterwards.
Lin Pingzhi and Qu Feiyan collected several secret manuals and some great medicine and brought them to Ding Ling.
Ding Ling encouraged them a bit, then took the secret manuals and started reading.
Among them were Mount Songh Sectâs sword technique and inner power heart method.
Ding Ling was surprised.
He pondered:
"How could these people bring out Mount Songh Sectâs mountain guardian secret manuals? Itâs not possible unless they are outsiders of Mount Songh Sect. These manuals were likely rewards from Zuo Lengchan, and perhaps the reward period wasnât long enough for them to practice?"
The specific truth was unknown.
But considering Zuo Lengchanâs actions in TV dramas and novelsâstraddling black and white, ambitiousâit wasnât entirely incomprehensible for him to do such a thing.
Ding Ling set aside his thoughts and began perusing the secret manuals.
After finishing the sword technique.
[Seventeen Paths of Mount Song Swordsmanship Full Level]
[Strength +0.1]
[Agility +0.1]
[Constitution +0.1]
This was evidently a high-tier sword technique.
Ding Ling used his fingers as a sword, practicing in the void. The display was imposing and splendid, a magnificent spectacle as if thousands of troops were charging forth, majestic and grand to the utmost!
Ding Ling nodded in appreciation.
This Mount Song Swordsmanship indeed was impressive, no less formidable than the Hundred Transformations and Thousand Illusions Hengshan Cloud Mist Thirteen Techniques of Mount Heng Sect.
Qu Feiyan and the others, watching Ding Ling learn the manuals effortlessly, felt both envious and somewhat numb, having become accustomed to it over time.
Ding Ling then reviewed the inner power heart method.
It was a Cold Ice True Skill.
After reading.
[Cold Ice True Skill Full Level]
[Inner Power Value +100]
Ding Ling sat amidst the surge of primordial qi, breathing steadily for quite a while.
Incorporating all the primordial qi at his disposal.
The second drop of true water in his dantian had condensed to its utmost form, with the third drop of true waterâs outline clearly visible.
Evidently.
Just a bit more inner power value absorption.
The third drop of true water would inevitably fissure out.
Ding Ling furrowed his brows slightly, thinking:
"This secret manual obviously surpasses the one given by Dan Qingsheng, but still only provides +100 inner power value. It seems the upper limit for first-class secret manuals is 100 points."
The Star Absorption Technique and Pure Yang True Skill were both exceedingly powerful, evidently top-tier among first-class manuals, yet also provided +100.
Clearly, the upper limit was set and wouldnât change.
"If Cold Ice True Skill were truly Mount Songh Sectâs mountain guardian secret manual, no matter how ambitious, itâs unlikely Zuo Lengchan would use it to recruit experts from both truthful and roguish paths?!"
"Could it be that Zhang Jingchao stole this manual? Or was there a copy made and given to him?"
Ding Ling couldnât fathom.
But obtaining this manual was a fortunate event.
He couldnât be bothered to think further.
Instead, he was secretly delighted, never expecting such great gain from a single pursuit of Mount Songh Sect members.
The secrets aside.
The great medicine was of considerable quantity.
Ding Ling immediately took some to chew and eat.
Using the Pure Yang True Skill to absorb the medicinal power.
Before long.
After consuming a dozen or so great medicines.
[Inner Power Value +40]
Crack!
The third drop of true water in the dantian finally fissured out!
[True Power Value: 3 points]
Reaching 3 points in true power value.
Ding Lingâs strength advanced another tier.
Ding Ling casually pointed forward.
Profound Celestial Finger!
Whoosh!
A white beam shot out five meters away, freezing the thorns five meters beyond instantly.
In the scorching heat.
By the roadside appeared some âice sculpturesâ!
This scene, with such contrasting imagery, was highly striking.