"It's starting..."

Outside the secret chamber, Ling Tingfeng reminded in a low voice, then slightly changed his hand gesture. Instantly, the energy within the chamber roared to life, and the light became increasingly bright. A vast and obscure array formation began to slowly rotate.

Rumble!

As the array started to rotate, torrents of powerful energy, like a flood, crazily surged from all directions, finally crashing violently toward Ling Chen, who was sitting cross-legged at the array's center.

Huff!

Facing the overwhelming energy roaring towards him, Ling Chen took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart. He slowly closed his eyes, and the Lingtian True Qi started to circulate within him, continuously absorbing the energy supplied by the array.

The energy gathered by this Advanced Spirit Gathering Array was exceptionally pure, perfectly suited to Ling Chen's physique. Under this wild devouring, Ling Chen's aura began to rise slowly, approaching a critical point.

Within the silent chamber, energy surged like waves. Remarkably intense energy fluctuations continued to emanate from the array, causing the space within the chamber to appear twisted and blurred.

In the chamber, a figure sat quietly at the core of the Great Formation. At Ling Chen's Dantian, a vortex of True Qi slowly rotated, like a bottomless pit, swallowing the massive incoming energy.

Outside the chamber door, Ling Tingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, occasionally glancing at Ling Chen within the Great Formation, then nodding slightly from time to time.

"Indeed a Perfect Sword Spirit Physique, this absorption speed is beyond what ordinary people can achieve..."

An old voice suddenly sounded from behind Ling Tingfeng, but he did not turn around. He just smiled and said, "A Perfect Sword Spirit Physique is indeed rare, but if it were someone else, they might not have reached this point with the identity of a branch family disciple."

"The Family Head is right; this boy's mind is far more mature than his peers. Otherwise, to grow to this degree at this age in the outside world is unfathomable."

The person who arrived was none other than Ling Lie, the Elder from the third branch of the Ling Family.

Ling Tingfeng nodded in acknowledgment. Although he often compared Ling Chen with Ling Tianyu, the environment for Ling Tianyu was much better. The former grew up under the halo of being the Ling Family's top genius, while the latter was just a branch family disciple who only recently entered the Ancestral House.

"Does the Family Head think Ling Yu can successfully comprehend the Gold Sword Pupil?"

Ling Lie asked softly.

"This child's perception and perseverance are both excellent. Though no one in the Ling Family has successfully comprehended the Gold Sword Pupil for a hundred years, this little guy often does unexpected things. Heh, I think he might have some chance..." said Ling Tingfeng with a smile.

If Ling Chen truly had no chance, he wouldn't have let Ling Chen take this risk.

"The Gold Sword Pupil, after all, is renowned as the most difficult martial art of the Ling Family, with great risks in its cultivation. If not for the upcoming Heavenly Sword Competition, I would actually prefer he learns the Sky-breaking Sword Technique."

Ling Tingfeng's eyes glimmered with a light; the Gold Sword Pupil is an unstable martial art. If something unexpected happens, it could have extremely adverse effects.

Many geniuses in the Ling Family have been ruined by this martial art.

"If the boy truly masters the Gold Sword Pupil, do you think he might achieve his initial goal of ranking among the top three in the Heavenly Sword Competition?"

Ling Lie asked, crossing his arms and turning to the side.

"The top three, that's quite a challenge..."

Ling Tingfeng pondered deeply, "Among the Nine Great Families, there are always talents. The top three must include those two exceptional individuals, Peerless Sword and Liu Mengru. If Ling Yu wants to rank in the top three, his strength must surpass all other family elites."

"But now Ling Yu likely isn't even a match for Ling Yuxuan. Even if he comprehends the Gold Sword Pupil, against Ling Yuxuan, the chances are about fifty-fifty."

"So you're saying that even if Ling Yu understands the Gold Sword Pupil, at his level, he might only make it to the top ten?"

Ling Lie inquired.

"That's not absolutely certain."

Ling Tingfeng shook his head, the sparkle in his eyes, "Ling Yu is always full of surprises." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

If Ling Chen merely understood the Gold Sword Pupil and initially mastered it, it would, of course, be challenging to reach the top three. However, if Ling Chen could cultivate the Gold Sword Pupil to Great Accomplishment, then perhaps there would be a glimmer of hope...

Yet, considering the level of the Gold Sword Pupil martial art, even reaching its entry level is not easy. To cultivate the Gold Sword Pupil to Great Accomplishment in the remaining short two plus months would be as difficult as reaching for the sky.

This cultivation of Ling Chen continued uninterrupted for eight days, leveraging the boundless energy within the "Advanced Spirit Gathering Array," greatly enhancing the True Qi within him.

Furthermore, as his True Qi increased, Ling Chen could feel the True Qi Spirit Sea in his Dantian constantly expanding and strengthening.

This enhancement was a natural progression for Ling Chen. Last time, in the Sword Pool, Ling Chen had already absorbed enough Sword Spirit Qi. Now, he was merely fully arousing it with the help of this Advanced Spirit Gathering Array.

Thus, after nearly ten days of secluded cultivation, Ling Chen's skin finally turned red, and waves of astonishing, fierce power continuously emitted from his body.

Chiz chiz!

The massive True Qi surged and swept through Ling Chen's body with friction, swelling his entire Dantian like a bloated balloon. Inside, small vortices formed as the True Qi transformed.

This state lasted for half an hour before Ling Chen's reddened body gradually returned to normal. In the next instant, his tightly shut eyes suddenly opened, and dazzling gleams flashed through his pupils as storms of energy swept through the surrounding space, akin to tempestuous waves.

Huff!

Ling Chen took a deep breath, exhaling a puff of air still tinged with a wild flavor. Then, with a swift motion, he dashed out of the array's core, landing beside Ling Tingfeng, and respectfully said, "Thank you, Family Head."

"This was all due to your own capability; I merely provided you a venue," Ling Tingfeng smiled faintly and said.

"Now, come with me to the Martial Arts Hall. It's about time to start comprehending the Gold Sword Pupil. If we're any later, it will be too late."

"Yes."

Ling Chen couldn't help but feel a tinge of anticipation in his eyes. After waiting so long, it was finally time to start officially.