I am just a mortal, why do you all worship me as a saint?

Chapter 77: A Matter of Life and Death

Those below the Tribulation stage must not challenge those above the Tribulation stage.

This is true.

Even with the sect-protecting formation in place today, as the one in charge of the formation, he only has a 10-20% chance of winning against Huang Li, and the final outcome is likely that Huang Li will be injured and Xiao Ling will die.

Even so, Xiao Ling cannot back down!

Because he carries the hopes of the entire sect on his shoulders!

Fortunately, Xiao Ling knew his mortal enemy quite well. This Huang Li was a rather eccentric guy. Perhaps it was because the Nianling Sect had no one left who could fight him that he had the urge to kill and destroy the Nianling Sect.

"If you want to fight, I'll fight with you." "Just you and me, the usual place."

Xiao Ling took the initiative and issued a challenge to Huang Li!

"Oh?" Huang Li's lips curled up slightly: "But your strength at the half-step Tribulation Transcending stage is not enough!"

"Give me four days, and I too can advance to the Tribulation Transcending stage."

Xiao Ling looked at him calmly.

Huang Li's gaze suddenly sharpened.

"What...what nonsense are you spouting? Four days? You've been stuck at the half-step Tribulation Transcending stage for quite a while now, and you're spouting nonsense in front of me, saying you can cross this hurdle in just four days?"

"If you don't believe me, then let's fight to the death right now."

Xiao Ling, however, acted decisively and forcefully. With a flick of his sleeve, his azure Dao power manifested, leaving Huang Li with a decision...

We can fight now or in four days.

He didn't hesitate. Rather than crushing this guy now, he'd rather wait four days and see if he could give him some surprises.

"it is good."

"I will give you four more days."

Huang Li chuckled, then flicked his sleeve and flew away.

Watching his disappearing figure, Xiao Ling's tense expression finally relaxed.

Seeing his slightly tired and weak appearance, Zhu Ling and the others couldn't help but ask with concern, "Elder, are you alright?"

“…No problem.”

Xiao Ling shook his head with a wry smile.

His words were clearly just a delaying tactic.

After all, he wasn't entirely confident of victory in the battle four days later... but how could he let himself show weakness? He deliberately spoke arrogantly, and Huang Li actually fell for that. Otherwise, if he showed even the slightest intention to back down, he would surely face annihilation.

"Hmph, no matter what, let's stall for time first." Xiao Ling's thoughts raced.

Although he was only at the half-step Tribulation Transcending stage, it was still impossible for him to reliably defeat the desolate power of the first level of the Tribulation Transcending stage.

"Let these disciples go back and rest... Clean up Elder Mo's body and give him a proper burial."

Xiao Ling sighed and gave the order.

"Yes, Supreme Elder."

Everyone agreed.

Afterwards, Zhu Ling followed Xiao Ling to the main hall of the Nianling Sect.

Xiao Ling sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and rested to recover from his exhaustion.

The mere clash of auras that had just occurred had already severely affected his internal organs. The gap between him and Huang Li was still too great. And next, there would be another fierce battle!

If he doesn't advance to the Tribulation Transcending stage, then everything is over. "Supreme Elder, that desolate force came with overwhelming force. If you hadn't intervened, we would probably already be..."

Zhu Ling said with a worried expression.

"It seems that this time, I am determined to get a pill from that senior."

Xiao Ling opened his eyes, a strange light flashing in them.

"Then... has the Supreme Elder considered..." Zhu Ling hesitated for a moment, seemingly feeling that this question should not be raised, and then stopped.

"What are you considering?" Xiao Ling raised an eyebrow and asked.

What if he refuses to give it to me?

"Ah……"

Xiao Ling smiled bitterly: "If you won't give it to me, then you might as well dismiss all the disciples of the Nianling Sect. I'll face the Desolate Force alone!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ling couldn't utter a word, even though she still had something to say. "You have to come with me to beg in person. Only then will you show some sincerity. My Nianling Sect is already on the verge of life and death."

Xiao Ling continued, then stood up and walked towards the mountain gate.

"Ah."

Zhu Ling was silent for a moment, then quickly followed.

The two traveled quickly and soon arrived at Yunling City. After listening to Wu Rong's explanation, they learned that the senior preferred tranquility and had entered the mortal realm for this purpose. Although cultivators could visit him, they could not be too ostentatious. Since he had already entered the mortal realm, they could not put on airs.

So, as they approached the city, they landed and slowly made their way on foot.

"Don't speak yet, I'll communicate with him."

Xiao Ling offered a suggestion.

"Okay." Zhu Ling nodded.

Upon entering Yunling City, Zhu Ling didn't say anything, but Xiao Ling felt a sense of melancholy as he looked at the bustling street scene.

"Hehe, I haven't left the sect's meditation area for a hundred years. This place is quite novel to me."

The Supreme Elder muttered to himself.

"The Supreme Elder is absolutely right. You should travel more."

Zhu Ling went along with it.

As they chatted, they arrived at the south of Yunling City. Following the directions given by Wu Rong, they easily found Gu Heng's clinic.

Xiao Ling stood at the door, looking at the plaque, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"what happened?"

Zhu Ling noticed his change and asked.

Xiao Ling said in a low voice, "This senior... is probably not simple..."

Zhu Ling was stunned.

He stared at the plaque carefully several times, but found nothing unusual. He frowned and asked, "Elder, what do you mean by that?"

Xiao Ling said softly, "The true meaning behind this plaque is very strong."

With one foot already in the Tribulation Transcending stage, he could more easily discern the Daoist essence conveyed in the characters than ordinary cultivators. He could naturally distinguish the power contained within the remarkably lifelike script. Moreover, the calligraphy on this plaque possessed another layer of meaning—

That is……

A strong fighting spirit.

Although it was concealed, he could still vaguely sense a strong aura of killing intent emanating from it!

This plaque must have been carved by the owner of the clinic himself.

Looking at those four words, Xiao Ling even felt as if he could see his past.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled: "This senior must have been a ruthless character in the past. The sharp and incisive characters on this plaque suggest that his hands were stained with the blood of many enemies."

"Is that so?"

Zhu Ling's eyes widened.

Xiao Ling nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "However... we still need to be careful. Although this senior seems to have retired to the city, if we accidentally provoke his past bloodlust... our lives will be in danger."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ling immediately understood.

He nodded, agreeing with Xiao Ling's judgment.

"The Supreme Elder is absolutely right."

After discussing for a moment, Xiao Ling lifted his foot and walked towards the clinic.

In the front hall, a young man sat there, flipping through the account books.

Gu Heng looked up and saw a young man who looked to be about his age, along with a middle-aged man, walk in together. He frowned, and then heard the young man say, "Are you the owner of this Gu Family Medical Clinic?"

"Yes."

"I think you are the people that old man Wu Rong was talking about, the ones who can make decisions, right?"