The caravan had now left the dense forest and entered a plain. Afterwards, there was no risk of being attacked by beasts. The caravan traversed endless stretches of golden grasslands that swayed in the gentle breeze like waves upon the sea. The sun blazed high overhead. Even through the heat, the people were calm as the danger had passed.
Lao Cao approached Ling Xuan and spoke. "You were very brave today, young man."
"Thank you, elder. I was just doing my duty." Ling Xuan tried to be modest. He had seen Mu Feng fight. For such a powerful man to treat this old man with respect, Lao Cao might have extraordinary connections.
"So humble. By the way," Lao Cao came close to Ling Xuan and whispered, "Are you perhaps from the Ling Clan of the Glorious Flag City?"
Ling Xuan was surprised. Truly, this old man was more than he seemed. He has correctly identified Ling Xuan, who was but a minor member of the Ling clan. Ling Xuan couldn't help but be a little wary in his heart. But, he didn't let his expression change.
"Esteemed elder, it seems there is no hiding it from you. Yes, I'm from the Ling clan," said Ling Xuan.
"Hohoho, I was just guessing. Just call me old man. I can't have the scion of a noble clan treat me so respectfully."
"Elder must be jesting. How can I treat a respected businessman such as yourself lightly."
"Say young man, what brings you on a journey to the capital, that too without any guards accompanying you?"
"I am going to the capital to participate in the competition held there. I plan to join the Thunder Law Sect after succeeding. As for why I have no guards with me, I can only blame my arrogance. I thought I'd be able to handle myself on the journey."
"Don't put yourself down too much. You did deal with a wolf all on your own. I have high hopes for you, boy. Just strive for the best. You'll get there," assured Lao Cao.
The words of the old man brought a lot of relief to Ling Xuan. This old man sure knew how to say the right thing at the right time.
"Thank you, Great Elder. I'll keep your words close to heart," bowed Ling Xuan respectfully.
"Yet, Elder, I want to ask how did you know I was a member of the Ling Clan?" asked Ling Xuan.
"Oh, that's pretty easy for someone who has enough knowledge about the Clans to know about The Technique that The Staff Sage used during the Hau Dynasty," answered Lao Cao.
"Staff Sage? The Hau Dynasty?" Ling Xuan was confused as he had never heard of these terms even after searching through the original Ling Xuan memories.
"Ah, I forgot that the clans don't teach this stuff to their disciples as they think that this is shameful which in fact it is," Lao Cao realized.
"Yet I think that's just being absurdly petty like weren't they supposed to be literal City Lords before The Sect Uprising and now due to this reason I will educate you on the clan's shameful origin." Saying this, Lao Cao began the explanation.
"You see, in the old days of civilization which was just about some thousand years after the Mythical Beasts went extinct, there was a single great empire at that time which was sovereign of all humans thus making it The First Human Empire. That Empire was ruled by 4 Ministers at the Master Rank. It was a peaceful and beautiful place, that was until the rise of the Xia Dynasty," sighed Lao Cao as he spoke about the distant past.
"Now when the time for the passing of the role of ministers came, then arrived a single man Hau, The First Known GrandMaster. He killed the 4 Ministers and established himself as Imperial Throne Holder," revealed Cao Lao to Long Xuan.
"Years later when Hau was on his deathbed he gave his position to his son and thus began the Hau Dynasty. The Dynasty reigned over the continent for more than 600 Years and then came The Beginning of the Xia Dynasty." Cao Lao paused for a moment and continued.
"Xiuhan Hau was the last Hau, he had 7 children and a bastard, now Imperial Law dictated that all offspring of the Emperor may be eligible for the position of the next Emperor, therefore on his deathbed he announced that his 7 children and the single bastard may compete in combat against each other for the right to be Emperor. So the battle began and the winner was none other than that bastard, he spared his half siblings and allowed them to rule over 7 Great Cities and permitted them to create their own clans. The Bastard would shed the name of Hau and instead use Xia as both his title and name. Historians call him "Old Ancestor Xia " or "the Founder of the Dragon Dynasty," smiled Lao Cao as he saw Ling Xuan's astounded expression.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Wait, why are you telling me all this unless-" asked the shocked Ling Xuan.
"Yes, the reason I recognied your technique and also the reason why it is so powerful is because the Ling Clan was founded by Hau Ling also known as the Staff Sage and they still use his methods of Martial Arts and Cultivation," Cao Lao interrupted Ling Xuan.
"Now I have already told you some very sensitive information and no more can I speak, otherwise, you will be in mortal danger," Cao Lao suddenly coughed and excused himself from the group.
"What? Why would telling me some history cause me to be in mortal danger?" wondered Ling Xuan as he stared at the leaving Cao Lao.
With nothing else to do, Ling Xuan slept in the caravan and waited for their destination.
The Caravan entered the city of Marakeith, a city that was on the border between Giant's Fall and Glorious Flag City.
Originally to get to Giant's Fall city you had to go through Purple Soul City yet there was a shortcut that went from Glorious Flag to Marakeith which was situated in the Fallen Mountains to Giant's Fall city via traversing from the East of the city.
Ling Xuan came out of the Caravan as he stared at the buildings in front of him. They were unlike Glorious Flag's architecture which was of elegance and reminded him of ancient eastern architecture, these buildings were more conservative with little to no designs and aimed only at completing its purpose for creation.
"Originally the architects planned to make this city elegant and royal as this was a commercial opportunity for them yet this motive was destroyed when they first-hand experienced the horrifying climate of this terrain. The dust storms and earthquakes made them trash their original idea and then they started planning something that could withstand this climate. In the end, they succeeded yet at the cost of making this place look like a war zone. Now this place is frequented by mercenaries and bounty hunters," Mu Feng said as he drank another shot.
Ling Xuan and the rest of the hired men were currently inside a bar relaxing for the first time in 4 days. After all, even though they slept in the caravan, they were always on guard against any hidden threat and the most normal sounds could jolt them awake.
As they were drinking and relaxing, Cao Lao came up to them and said, "Now we will rest for the day and set off towards Giant's Fall at dawn. I have already arranged rooms for you to sleep in."
None of them had any objections as they were all tired.
As the group began to leave the bar and go to their preassigned rooms, Ling Xuan was stopped by an attendant.
"Sir, someone has tasked me to give you this letter and to tell you to read it when you are in your room," Saying this the female attendant gave the letter to him.
"Uh..Ok." replied the caught off guard Ling Xuan.
Returning to his room, Ling Xuan sat on the wooden floor and took out the letter.
The details of it confused Ling Xuan.
"Tomorrow before Dawn Break go to the east stable" - Mu Feng
Although he didn't understand it, being called by an expert when one was an apprentice was a big deal in itself.
The next day arrived and so did Ling Xuan in the east stable by taking directions given by the staff.
There stood Mu Feng clothed in brown leather and with a dagger hanging from his waist.
"You train in the Crimson Barrage Pole right?" questioned Mu Feng.
"Yes, Senior" Answered Ling Xuan, there was no point in asking how he'd known that doubt had been dispelled after Cao Lao's lecture yesterday.
"The Crimson Barrage Pole is revered by many clansmen of other clans, do you know why?" Mu Feng asked.
"It's because of its ability to weaken entire areas of the body rather than a single part of the body" Answered Ling Xuan who was confident in his answer.
Mu Feng nodded and said,
"What you've said is half of the reason, can you guess the other half?" Revealed Mu Feng.
Ling Xuan had no answer to this.
"It's adaptability, the second reason is adaptability of weapons" Seeing that Ling Xuan didn't understand, Mu Feng continued.
"The technique when one has only obtained a basic understanding can only be replicated with a staff and when one has reached a Profound understanding of it then even hands can be used along with the technique" Mu Feng spoke as he unraveled the technique's truth.
"Now show me your technique!" Commanded Mu Feng as he threw a wooden staff towards him.
Realizing that he had to attack Mu Feng, Ling Xuan hesitated but he soon overcame it and prepared his battle stance and launched his attack.
Ling Xuan muscles tensed and he drew in a deep breath.
Tightly gripping the staff, Ling Xuan lunged forward and attacked Mu Feng by aiming at the abdomen.
Mu Feng blocked the staff using his hand then took it from Ling Xuan.
"You sure are talented, reaching High Apprentice while 14 " Praised Mu Feng.
"Your mastery of the technique is average and has potential for further improvement" Continued Mu Feng.
"Yet what you lack is Martial experience as well as Martial Arts that back up your Core Martial Art. Now if you go to the capital like this then your probability to be an Outer Disciple is higher than an Inner or even Core Disciple" Mu Feng made sure that Ling Xuan understood that while he was a genius, compared to other geniuses of the other sects and clans he was only above average nothing that that was exceptional.
"Now the good thing for you is that the Selection will start 2 Months later, so until then do you wish to go to Giant's Fall and from there go to the Capital or Stay here for a month and train with me." Mu Feng gave 2 choices.
Ling Xuan was in a dilemma as while going to the capital and getting selected was his main goal yet after listening to Mu Feng's words he understood that even if he raised his cultivation and became an adept, the sheer number of others who are more talented than him will not allow him to snatch a high enough position.
"I can also cultivate here as well." Ling Xuan realized and made his decision.