C19 The Shock!

As Ling Xiao and Meng Xiyun were getting ready to search for their son, Ling Zhan's younger brother, Ling Tao, arrived at their home.

At 33 years old, Ling Tao had just recently achieved the level of Middle Rank Profound Master. Dressed in a long blue robe and carrying a spear on his back, he confidently walked into Ling Zhan's house.

Upon laying eyes on Ling Zhan, Ling Tao respectfully clasped his fists together and greeted, "Second Brother, Sister-in-law!"

Meng Xiyun responded with a warm smile, "Third Brother, it's good to see you!"

"Third Brother, what brings you here?" Ling Zhan inquired, casually placing an arm around Ling Tao's shoulder.

Even though Ling Zhan's meridians had been destroyed by someone else, his third brother's respect for him never wavered. They shared an exceptionally close relationship.

"I've been missing you, so I thought I'd come by for a visit. By the way, where's Xiao?" Ling Tao asked with a smile.

"We were just about to go look for him. He's been out all day and hasn't come back yet. Your sister-in-law is really worried," Ling Zhan said.

"Xiao hasn't returned home yet?" Ling Tao asked, surprised.

"Third Brother, there's no need to worry. Xiao probably just lost track of time while he was out playing," Ling Zhan said, trying to ease the tension. He knew his son had started to cultivate his profound strength again, so unless Ling Xiao had encountered significant trouble, he should be safe.

"Oh no! This could be serious! Big Brother, I'll come with you to look for Xiao. Sister-in-law, you wait here for us," Ling Tao said anxiously.

Meng Xiyun nearly fainted from worry, quickly grabbing Ling Tao's hand, "Third Brother, hold on. Tell me what happened to Xiao first."

Ling Tao got straight to the point, "Today, Xiao had a fight with a girl from the Luo family at the Fragrance Restaurant. He won, but it looks like he might have been hurt..."

Before Ling Tao could finish, Meng Xiyun, trembling, interrupted, "What? My son is injured?"

"Women should not interrupt when men are speaking," Ling Zhan chided coldly, then turned to Ling Tao, "Is Xiao's injury serious?"

"I don't know the extent of his injuries. But Second Brother, I have a question for you. Is it true that Xiao can cultivate profound strength again?" Instead of answering Ling Zhan, Ling Tao asked a question of his own.

Ling Zhan realized the truth could no longer be concealed, so he nodded in agreement and said, "Xiao has stumbled upon some opportunities, allowing him to cultivate profound strength again."

"Exactly. Everyone at the Fragrance Restaurant is talking about Xiao's newfound ability to cultivate profound strength. The news has spread rapidly. I'm sure it's common knowledge by now. Even our father is aware, which is why he sent me," Ling Tao stated solemnly.

"You mean someone might be after Xiao?" Ling Zhan speculated.

"Second Brother, doesn't it seem strange to you? Both you and Xiao have had your meridians destroyed by someone. It's evident that someone is intentionally targeting the rising talents of our Ling family. I must find Xiao immediately and ensure he's protected by the strongest forces of our family. Once he becomes a true Spirit Master, the Ling family will dominate Meteor City," Ling Tao analyzed.

"There's no time to lose! We need to find Xiao right away!" Ling Zhan said urgently, trusting Ling Tao's assessment. As a direct victim, he knew all too well the envy of their remarkable talents and the early sabotage of their meridians, aimed at preventing them from becoming Spirit Masters. It was a scheme to destroy all those with innate gifts!

At the same time, Luo Qingshuang was rushed home by her older brother, Luo Biao. The imposing man was Luo Biao himself, one of Meteor City's infamous three evil young masters. Known for his arrogance and tyranny, he was still more upright compared to the despicable acts of Lee Guangyin.

"Biao, what's wrong with Shuang?" asked Luo Tianzheng, a dignified middle-aged man of forty-two, Luo Biao's uncle, and Luo Qingshuang's father, who possessed the cultivation base of a high-level Profound Master. He was visibly concerned as Luo Biao entered, carrying Luo Qingshuang.

"Uncle, Shuang is fine; she likely just fainted," replied Luo Biao.

Seeing his daughter riddled with sword wounds and her clothes torn, Luo Tianzheng's brow creased with worry. He pressed, "Luo Biao! Tell me what happened, now!"

Intimidated by his uncle's stern presence, Luo Biao had two maids take Luo Qingshuang inside for care. After she was settled, he began to detail the incident that took place at the Fragrance Restaurant to Luo Tianzheng.

After hearing Luo Biao's words, Luo Tianzheng felt a wave of relief wash over him. Yet, he asked with a serious tone, "Are you saying that Qingshuang was defeated by that boy whose meridians had been destroyed?"

Luo Biao nodded gravely, "Indeed, I saw him execute a martial technique of astonishing power. Shuang was unable to withstand his attack and was thoroughly beaten. If Ling Xiao had intended to kill Shuang at that moment, I fear I wouldn't have been able to save her."

Even as a High-Level Profound Warrior, Luo Biao was still fearful. He didn't have the confidence that he could survive an attack from Ling Xiao; perhaps only those who had reached the level of Profound Master could contend with him.

"Alright. Since Qingshuang was the one who provoked the incident, let's allow it to be forgotten. You may go now," Luo Tianzheng said, gesturing for him to leave.

After Luo Biao left, Luo Tianzheng quickly headed towards the Inner Court of the house.

The Ling family father and son had only recently had their meridians destroyed, and yet they were already able to cultivate profound strength again! He had to let his father know about this immediately. He was, after all, recognized as Meteor City's foremost talent two years ago. His comeback was bound to cause a stir!

In the Inner Court of the Luo family, the majestic buildings loomed like a dark castle under the night sky.

Luo Tianzheng stopped in front of the grandest tower for a moment. The handrails beside the tower began to move, and soon after, he disappeared into the night.

A deep voice called out from the shadows between the towers, "Zheng, what brings you here?"

With respect, Luo Tianzheng bowed at the entrance and replied, "I have an urgent matter to report."

As soon as he finished speaking, the tower's door opened automatically. Familiar with this, Luo Tianzheng stepped inside without a moment's delay.

Inside, an elderly man in a gray robe sat gracefully, a teacup in one hand and a scroll beside him. Strikingly handsome and of medium build, his posture was straight, betraying no hint of age. He exuded an air of vitality. This was Luo Xiangming, the head of the Luo family, now sixty-six years old and one of the few esteemed Spirit Masters in Meteor City.

Seated within the room, an elderly man in a gray robe held a teacup in his hand, with a scroll resting beside him. The old man was strikingly handsome, of average build, and sat with a remarkably straight back, showing no signs of a hunch. He exuded vitality. This man was Luo Xiangming, the head of the Luo family, now sixty-six years old and one of the few formidable experts in Meteor City. He had attained the rank of Spirit Master.

"What urgent matter has you rushing over in the middle of the night?" Luo Xiangming asked calmly.

Luo Tianzheng proceeded to give a concise summary of what Luo Biao had told him.

"The boy from the Ling family is quite remarkable. I didn't expect him to resume his cultivation so quickly," Luo Xiangming responded casually, as if the matter was of little concern to him.

"Father, if his renewed ability to cultivate was the only issue, it wouldn't warrant much attention. It's just that..." Luo Tianzheng hesitated, finding it difficult to proceed.