Zi Linling's earth-shattering statement left the Xi family father and son stunned.
But upon careful consideration, they found her words made perfect sense.
After all, everyone fears death, and it's only when pushed to their absolute limit that most people fight desperately.
In normal times, when there's no danger, who would be willing to risk their life in a life-for-life exchange?
The saying "the soft fear the hard, the hard fear the reckless, the reckless fear those who don't fear death" perfectly illustrated this.
Understanding Zi Linling's words, Xi Ning's gaze towards her sparkled with newfound admiration.
"Miss Zi, your insight is profound! I am immensely impressed! After living for so many years, I never saw things as clearly as you do."
He looked at Zi Linling as if she were a shining treasure.
Although Xi Jingran didn't fully grasp everything, he meticulously memorized every word Zi Linling had spoken.
He intended to ponder and savor her wisdom at his own pace.
As they were talking, Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shen Liuxing, and Shangguan Yulin were already engaged in a fierce battle.
They had all drawn their weapons, shifting the confrontation from a clash of brute strength to a contest of spiritual power and the laws of the universe.
"Shangguan, take this spear!"
Xuanyuan Xun roared, thrusting his Overlord Spear towards Shangguan Yulin.
"Haha! Do you think I'm afraid of you!"
Shangguan Yulin laughed heartily, his Vermilion Bird Feather Fan clashing against the Overlord Spear.
The ground rumbled, and dust and stones flew everywhere.
A massive wave of energy formed a tornado, tearing up the earth.
Shangguan Yulin remained rooted to the spot, but Xuanyuan Xun was pushed back over ten steps, each footfall leaving a deep imprint in the ground.
"Exhilarating!"
Xuanyuan Xun steadied himself, suppressed the surging blood within him, and laughed heartily.
"I'm joining in!"
Rong Guang bellowed, swinging his Origin Poison Tree towards Shangguan Yulin.
However, he was only using his spiritual power, not the tree's inherent toxicity.
"Well met!"
Shangguan Yulin bent his knees, spun halfway around, and unleashed his stored power.
"Crack!"
The Origin Poison Tree and the Vermilion Bird Feather Fan collided with a deafening roar, making the spectators' ears ring.
Sand and debris filled the air, obscuring everyone's vision and making it impossible to open their eyes.
As expected, Rong Guang was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing heavily onto the ground.
Fortunately, Rong Guang had used the Origin Poison Tree to dissipate much of the impact during his flight.
Therefore, Rong Guang was unharmed, merely dusted and disheveled.
"Pah, pah, pah!"
Rong Guang spat out the dirt from his mouth and cursed with a laugh, "You're something else! I'll make you eat this dirt one day!"
Shangguan Yulin chuckled and replied, "Then you'll have quite a wait. I usually don't eat in the morning or evening; I only eat at noon!"
"Hahahaha..."
This remark sent the onlookers into fits of laughter.
Rong Guang rolled his eyes and said, "You're quite arrogant, aren't you! Brother Shen, it's your turn!"
"Coming!"
Shen Liuxing responded, a black long flute appearing in his hand. He didn't play it but instead used it like a spear, thrusting it towards Shangguan Yulin.
"One by one, you all want to test my limits. Dream on!" Shangguan Yulin said proudly.
He then channeled his power again, enlarging the Vermilion Bird Feather Fan and positioning it in front of him.
"Boom!"
The black long flute struck the surface of the Vermilion Bird Feather Fan with a thunderous sound. Su Dan Novel Network
Dust billowed again, and the ground was once more torn apart.
Shen Liuxing was thrown backward, performing several somersaults to land steadily thirty zhang away.
Shangguan Yulin remained unmoved.
Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, and Shen Liuxing were all in their original positions relative to Shangguan Yulin.
If not for the ground sinking slightly, the constant swirl of sand and stone, and the general disarray, one wouldn't have realized how much action had taken place.
"So strong!"
The onlookers from the Xi family exclaimed in unison.
Although there was no killing intent between Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shen Liuxing, and Shangguan Yulin, their displayed combat prowess made the Xi family members feel inferior.
Xi Ning watched the four with sparkling eyes, thinking, "These are true masters! If the Xi family possessed such combat strength, why would we fear our ancestors' legacy being lost?"
Xi Jingran looked on with boundless admiration. He was certain that none of the Divine King realm experts in the Xi family could match this level of combat ability.
He mused, "This is just a spar. They are already so formidable; how terrifying must they be in a real fight?"
Xi Jingran seemed to begin understanding the meaning behind Zi Linling's words.
He considered himself a peerless genius within the Xi family, and perhaps even within the entire Celestial Venerable City.
Yet, now, Xi Jingran felt like a frog in a well.
With this thought, he respectfully turned to Zi Linling and asked, "Miss Zi, how can I become as powerful as them?"
Zi Linling thought for a moment and smiled, "There are ways, but I fear you might not be able to endure the hardship!"
Xi Jingran's eyes lit up. "I can endure! I can! Please, Miss Zi, guide me!"
"Really?" Zi Linling asked with a half-smile.
Xi Jingran nodded firmly. "Yes!"
Zi Linling then looked at Xi Ning and inquired, "Patriarch Xi, are you willing?"
Xi Ning smiled. "What is there to be unwilling about? Jingran, as the young patriarch of the Xi family, bears the responsibility of our clan and our ancestors' legacy! Only those who endure the greatest hardships can achieve greatness! Miss Zi, please train him as you see fit; I will not interfere!"
"Excellent!"
Zi Linling nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, Young Master Xi, please consume this pill!"
She then produced a shimmering pill in her hand.
Xi Jingran blinked in surprise and took the pill.
Xi Ning, his brow furrowed, asked, "I consider myself knowledgeable, yet I do not recognize this pill. Miss Zi, could you please tell me what it is?"
Zi Linling smiled slightly. "This is the Spirit Sealing Pill. It can seal the spiritual power and the power of universal laws within the body. I developed it myself, so it is not surprising that you, Patriarch Xi, do not recognize it."
"Spirit Sealing Pill?" Xi Ning exclaimed in shock.
His astonishment was not only due to the pill's efficacy but also because Zi Linling had developed it herself.
This meant Zi Linling was undoubtedly an alchemist.
While Xi Ning didn't know Zi Linling's alchemist rank, the fact that she could create her own pills indicated a very high level.
To refine pills, one needed a formula, and for self-developed pills, the formula was created through one's own research.
Inventing a pill formula was something even an Emperor-tier alchemist might struggle to achieve.
Given Zi Linling's apparent age, under twenty, Xi Ning couldn't help but wonder how truly formidable she was.
Upon hearing the name "Spirit Sealing Pill," Xi Jingran froze in place.