6. The Monster in Human Skin
A Clan in Shock
The entire Ling Clan fell silent.
The once-crippled waste, Ling Tian, had just shattered Ling Tao's arm with a single move.
The elders, who had expected a swift defeat, sat frozen.
Disciples who had mocked Ling Tian now stared in horror.
Ling Tao lay on the ground, his face pale, his arm twisted unnaturally. He struggled to comprehend what had just happened.
"You… you…" His voice trembled as he looked at Ling Tian. "You were supposed to be crippled!"
Ling Tian tilted his head, amused.
"Crippled?" He chuckled. "Oh, cousin, did no one tell you?"
His eyes gleamed with cold amusement.
"I got better."
---
The Elders' Verdict
Great Elder Ling Hai cleared his throat, shattering the tense silence.
"Enough!" His voice carried power, making the surrounding disciples shiver.
Ling Tian stepped back, showing no signs of fear. He had already made his point.
Ling Hai's gaze was unreadable as he stared at him.
"You defeated Ling Tao in one move," he said slowly. "A feat no one expected."
Ling Tao, still clutching his arm, gritted his teeth. "This bastard… must have cheated! He's hiding something! We should cripple him for real this time!"
Ling Tian's expression darkened.
Before anyone could react, he moved.
SWOOSH!
In an instant, he appeared next to Ling Tao, his hand gripping his throat.
The crowd gasped. Even the elders were caught off guard.
Ling Tao's eyes bulged as he struggled against Ling Tian's iron grip.
"Careful, cousin," Ling Tian whispered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Your mouth might get you into trouble."
He squeezed slightly, making Ling Tao gasp for air.
"ENOUGH!" Ling Hai's voice boomed. "Ling Tian, release him."
Ling Tian smirked. "Of course."
He let go. Ling Tao collapsed onto the ground, coughing violently.
Ling Hai studied Ling Tian carefully.
This boy was different. Too different.
Just yesterday, he was a cripple, a nobody.
And now?
He was a monster in human skin.
Ling Hai finally spoke. "Ling Tian… What realm are you in now?"
The question lingered in the air.
Every disciple leaned forward, eager to hear the answer.
Ling Tian smirked.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
---
Unseen Eyes Watching
As the Ling Clan struggled to process Ling Tian's transformation, far away, unseen eyes were watching.
In a dark, secluded chamber, an elder sat in meditation. His spiritual senses had been locked onto the tribulation from the night before.
A shadowy figure appeared before him.
"Master," the figure whispered. "It has begun."
The elder opened his eyes.
A sinister smile spread across his lips.
"So, the heavens have allowed another monster to rise?"
His fingers tapped against the armrest.
"Let's see how long he survives."
---
A Quiet Warning
Back in his quarters, Ling Tian sat cross-legged, absorbing the remnants of heaven's energy still flowing within him.
His body was stronger than ever. His meridians, once shattered, had now become divine conduits of power.
Yet, he knew this was just the beginning.
A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
The door slid open, revealing Elder Mo, the Forbidden Library's guardian.
Ling Tian's eyes narrowed.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Elder Mo?"
The elder studied him carefully before speaking.
"You think no one noticed what you did last night?"
Ling Tian remained silent.
Elder Mo continued, his tone grave.
"The heavens don't strike without reason. The tribulation… it was because of you, wasn't it?"
Ling Tian's lips curled into a small smirk.
"And if it was?"
Elder Mo exhaled, rubbing his temples.
"You little brat… do you realize what this means?"
He leaned in.
"The Ling Clan won't be the only ones watching you now."
Ling Tian chuckled. "Good. Let them watch."
Elder Mo sighed.
"You're either a genius or a fool."
Ling Tian's smile widened.
"Why not both?"
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