26: Raging Waves Overlord Body, Sea-Shattering Blade

Li Changxing trembled all over, like a startled rabbit, almost shuffling forward, his head bowed even lower. From his embrace, he pulled out several crumpled papers, on which wavy lines, raindrops, and a small plant were drawn with charcoal, showing almost identical changes each day.

"Clan… Clan Chief, I did as you said. I… I wrote everything down, but… I can't see any difference in them… I'm too stupid…"

"I… I can't do anything well… I have no Qi sensation from the 'Qi Cultivation Scroll'… I always make mistakes identifying medicinal herbs… When I assist everyone… I can't help either…"

"Why am I… here?"

His words were filled with self-pity and despair, tears welling in his eyes, as if he might break down at any moment.

Although the other youths remained silent, their eyes held various expressions: sympathy, helplessness, and also hidden disdain.

Li Yinglong watched him quietly for a moment, not demonstrating or lecturing him as he had with the others.

To everyone's surprise, he slowly walked in front of Li Changxing, knelt down, and brought his gaze level with him.

This action stunned everyone.

What a distinguished identity the Clan Chief possessed! When had he ever been so… approachable to anyone?

"Changxing…"

Li Yinglong's voice was gentle:

"Look up, look at me."

Li Changxing timidly raised his head, meeting Li Yinglong's deep yet uncritical eyes.

"You've done very well."

At these words, not only Li Changxing but everyone was stunned.

What counted as very well?

Li Yinglong stroked Li Changxing's head, his tone benevolent:

"People all seek speed, strength, and obvious achievements. But the Heavenly Dao operates with its ultimate principles; some power is hidden in the minutiae; some Dao is concealed behind time."

He pointed to the drawings:

"What Changxing observed is the 'rhythm' of the tides, the 'beat' of raindrops, and the 'growth' of life itself. These changes are so subtle they are almost imperceptible, but it is these countless 'almost imperceptible' changes that constitute the grand world we see."

He looked at Li Changxing again, his eyes filled with unique expectation:

"Changxing, your Dao is not on the ground, not in your fists and feet, but here—"

He pointed to his own heart, then to the incessantly flowing time:

"It lies in 'stillness,' in 'observation,' in 'listening' to the sound of time. They need to see clearly a hundred paces away; what you need to see clearly is the next instant."

"Don't measure your path with others' rulers. Your 'slowness' is not a flaw; perhaps, it is where your Aptitude lies."

In fact, all these training contents were formulated by Li Yinglong after reading the System's descriptions of these children.

Among them, the description of Li Changxing was the most unique and most perplexing:

[Li Changxing: Status: Soul overload, fear; Hidden Aptitude: ??? (Law-level, unawakened, continuously eroding this character. Due to host's Realm being too low, it cannot be viewed. Forcibly viewing will result in death and Dao obliteration)]

Unlike the common Aptitudes of Li Changyun and the others, such as resilience, calculation, and eagle eye, Li Changxing's Aptitude was what made Li Yinglong most curious and most vigilant.

To die and have one's Dao obliterated by merely looking at it one more time—what kind of immense power was this?

What kind of secret did this child carry?

But he didn't want to delve into any of this further. If he couldn't learn well, so be it. The child's healthy growth was enough.

These words, like warm sunlight, shone into Li Changxing's frozen and despairing heart.

He had never imagined that his "useless" efforts could hold such a different meaning in the Clan Chief's eyes!

Bitterness and excitement surged in his heart, and tears finally broke free:

"Yes… Clan Chief! Changxing will remember! I will… I will definitely 'listen' well!"

Li Yinglong patted his thin shoulders. This simple gesture, however, carried immense weight.

He stood up again and surveyed everyone:

"Today's clarifications are not final conclusions, but rather to point you in the right direction. The Dao has myriad paths, each with its own method. I hope you will remember today's words, Cultivate diligently, clarify your Heart-Nature, and in the future, you will be able to find your own sky within our Li Immortal Clan!"

"We respectfully obey the Clan Chief's teachings!"

The ten youths responded in unison.

Their voices merged, filled with unprecedented determination and strength.

"Very good! I am deeply gratified by today's assessment."

"However, do you all still remember that I mentioned earlier that the top performer in each assessment would be granted an Opportunity?"

At these words, everyone's expressions instantly tensed up.

Was the Clan Chief… bestowing another favor?

Li Yinglong's gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Li Changxuan.

"Changxuan, come out!"

"Ah? Me?!"

Li Changxuan almost thought he had misheard, subconsciously taking a step forward, his face filled with disbelief.

He had just been secretly anxious about the Clan Chief's "slow is fast" remarks to Li Changxing, thinking it was an excuse to comfort the weak. He never expected this second enormous Opportunity to fall upon him!

Instantly, several gazes, mixed with shock and envy, fell upon him.

Li Changxuan could clearly feel those gazes burning his back, making his heart pound like a drum and his blood surge.

Li Yinglong looked at him and slowly said:

"Your temperament is impetuous, and your desire to win is strong; this is a double-edged sword. However, over the past month, your diligence, your persistence, and the speed of your progress are evident to all. This reward is what you deserve!"

At these words, Li Changxuan's chest heaved violently, all his unease and doubt instantly transforming into wild joy and excitement.

He suddenly knelt on one knee, clasping his fists above his head:

"Changxuan thanks the Clan Chief for his generous gift! I will certainly live up to the Clan Chief's expectations!"

"Very good."

Li Yinglong nodded slightly, already communicating with the System in his consciousness:

"System, apply [Aptitude Improvement LV1] to Li Changxuan!"

[Command confirmed. Target: Li Changxuan. Usage of [Aptitude Improvement LV1] count: 1/1. Generating random Low Grade Spiritual Root or Cultivation Body… Generation complete: Granting [Raging Tide Tyrant Body] (Low Grade Cultivation Body)]

In an instant, Li Yinglong joined his fingers like a sword, a faint glow flickering at his fingertips, and suddenly pointed it at Li Changxuan's glabella!

"Buzz~!"

A violent, majestic aura suddenly poured into Li Changxuan's body!

"Uh ah!!"

Li Changxuan let out a suppressed roar, his muscles instantly tensing, veins bulging, and a layer of light blue, strange light, like surging tides, spread across his skin at a visible speed!

His bones emitted faint cracking sounds, as if being tempered and expanded by the power of ocean waves, and his entire physique seemed to subtly expand by a circle.

The sound of surging blood and Qi was faintly audible, carrying a sense of oppression as if facing terrifying waves!

This phenomenon lasted for several breaths before slowly receding.

Li Changxuan's temperament had completely changed:

His former impetuosity seemed to have settled into an inner ferocity, his eyes sharp as blades. With every glance, he exuded a powerful sensation, like a tsunami tearing through reefs.

"This… this is…"

Li Changxuan excitedly felt the surging power within his body, and the strange sensation of faintly resonating with the surrounding water vapor and wind.

"This is not a Spiritual Root, but the [Raging Tide Tyrant Body]."

Li Yinglong's voice sounded at the opportune moment, clarifying for him:

"This Cultivation Body is not something ordinary people possess. It requires tempering the will and physique by drawing water and wind Spiritual Qi in a specific environment to potentially achieve. Its strength is like surging tides, its force like stacking waves, its toughness like reefs, perfectly suiting your Heart-Nature."

"I once saw you, from a young age, practicing Martial Skill alone in the waves outside Linhai City. Is this true? It must be this kind of Opportunity that led to the achievement of today's Cultivation Body."

Only then did Li Changxuan realize that the Clan Chief had always been watching him.

The matter was not yet over.

Li Yinglong flipped his wrist, and two weapons appeared out of thin air, thudding heavily onto the ground.

One was a dark, heavy, nine-foot overlord spear, mottled with Family glory and bloodstains.

The other was a four-foot long saber with an ancient scabbard, faintly adorned with wave-like cloud patterns. It was the very weapon used by Lin Bei, his former defeated opponent. Though unsheathed, one could already feel an unwilling sharpness and fierce Battle Intent emanating from it.

"Choose one."

Li Yinglong's gaze was calm:

"Both of these weapons can bear the power of your Tyrant Body. The spear is our Family Legacy, emphasizing momentum and majesty; the saber is a testament to the defeated, emphasizing ferocity and killing. Which path you choose is up to you."

All eyes instantly focused on Li Changxuan.

Li Changyun subconsciously clenched his fist, his gaze falling on the overlord spear—that was the symbol of the main Family… Li Changxuan's gaze rapidly darted between the two weapons, his breathing heavy.

Finally, a look of determination flashed in his eyes. He suddenly reached out and grabbed the scabbard of the wave-patterned long saber!

"Clan Chief, I choose the saber!"

His voice was resolute.

He ultimately chose this path, which seemed more rebellious, more challenging, and better able to prove his uniqueness.

Subconsciously, he did not want to live in his elder brother's shadow. The main Family practiced the spear, so he would practice the saber, and he would practice it better than everyone else!

A hint of understanding flashed in Li Yinglong's eyes, without the slightest surprise or displeasure.

"Good."

He nodded, then took out a slightly worn, thread-bound book with an illustration of raging waves on its cover.

"This is the Lin Family's 'Breaking the Sea Mad Saber' saber manual. This saber art is incomparably domineering, emphasizing overwhelming opponents with momentum, like a furious tide. However, its Moves are still within the scope of mortal Martial Skills and will not be very significant for you in the future. Yet, its Saber Intent, with its indomitable, destructive Concept, is a perfect match for your Tyrant Body!"

"Its demands on the Cultivator's physique are extremely high. That fellow Lin Bei merely relied on sea soul moss to forcibly enhance his Qi and blood, only grasping its form but not its spirit, let alone the 'Raging Tide' Concept contained within."

Li Yinglong handed over the saber manual, solemnly instructing:

"Do not get lost in the variations of the Moves; you must abandon form and grasp the Concept, comprehend its essence! Practice the saber by the sea, drawing the Qi of wind and waves into your body, wielding the Saber Intent with your Tyrant Body, and nourishing your Tyrant Body with the Saber Intent."

"This path has been walked by no one in the Family, and no one can teach you the specific methods. How far you can go depends entirely on your own Comprehension Ability and perseverance. I hope you can… carve out your own Raging Tide Saber Dao!"

Li Changxuan's hands trembled as he reverently accepted the saber manual, symbolizing power and responsibility, and the heavy long saber.

This was the Clan Chief's weighty expectation, and a future that was solitary yet full of infinite possibilities.

An unprecedented surge of heroic spirit and Battle Intent erupted from the bottom of his heart, dispelling the last trace of hesitation.

He suddenly looked up, his eyes bursting with sharp light, like a drawn blade, and declared loudly:

"Clan Chief, rest assured! Changxuan will not fail your trust! I will definitely use this saber to cleave through waves and forge an unprecedented path for the Family!"

His voice was like the clang of metal, carrying an indomitable resolve and confidence.

Li Yinglong looked at the burning flame in his eyes, knowing that a new Raging Tide star had begun to emerge here.