Chapter 20: Boss, Through Fire and Water! Let’s Step Into the Banner for a Talk

“If you defeat me, the spirit stones are yours...”
Such a golden opportunity—how could Ling Tian let it slip by?
He had just used his Heavy Eyes and guess what he saw?
Ling Shuo’s cultivation was merely at the seventh stage of the Qi Sea Realm—far too low!
“Fight you?”
Ling Shuo rose to his feet, looking at Ling Tian, whose head barely reached his waist, astonished.
He seemed utterly incapable of withstanding even one punch!
“No, I’m afraid I might hurt you,” Ling Shuo shook his head. While he was slow in other ways, he wasn’t foolish!
If he injured this child, who knew if his entire family might be dragged into trouble?
Ling Moyun, hearing Ling Shuo’s words, let out a long breath. At least the kid had some sense.
“You think you can hurt me?”
Ling Tian shook his head. With his parents present, and the treasures on his body, Ling Shuo couldn’t harm him at all. His expression became resolute, his tone brooking no refusal.
“Fight!”
Ling Shuo couldn’t leave, nor could he fight, caught in a moment of extreme embarrassment.
“A son of the Ling family can lack anything, but never spirit! With spirit, you can strive, you can carve your own path!”
As Ling Shuo hesitated, Ling Tian’s eyes flashed with disdain, his voice ringing out firmly.
Ling Tian’s words not only thundered in Ling Shuo’s mind, but also echoed in the hearts of those present.
They understood the truth in the words, yet to hear such resolve from the mouth of a one-year-old infant was truly astonishing.
“Forgive me!”
Ling Shuo took a deep breath, his gaze firm. Refusing now would be admitting he lacked spirit.
Ling Tian’s words left no room for denial; he had no choice but to accept.
He couldn’t understand—did he really look so easy to bully?
If Ling Tian wanted to establish his authority, why not choose a peer?
With thoughts swirling, he had to suppress them given the situation.
As Ling Shuo’s words fell, Ling Tian darted forward, spiritual energy bursting from his body.
The faces of those nearby showed surprise; after all, they knew Ling Tian’s birth was unremarkable.
That’s why Ling Tian had yet to become the Ling family’s young master.
But now, Ling Tian’s cultivation surpassed that of the much older Ling Shuo!
Earlier, Ling Tian had masked his aura with the imperial artifact mask, so they hadn’t sensed it.
With such cultivation now, how could they not be shocked? He was so young!
Indeed, the sons of two Emperors were extraordinary.
They shook their heads, not out of pity for Ling Tian,
but for their own sons. This generation lived under the shadow of Ling Zhantian; now, it seemed the next would live under Ling Tian’s.
Each had their own thoughts, but neither of the two in the arena knew.

Ling Shuo hadn’t expected Ling Tian’s movements to be so swift, nor that he would strike without warning—quite shameless, really.
“Stop!”
Ling Shuo summoned his spiritual power, facing Ling Tian’s small fist head-on, not dodging, intent on blocking it.
He didn’t believe that Ling Tian, with such a slight frame, could break his defense.
He had few virtues, but his skin was thick!
“Bang...”
Ling Tian’s fist landed on Ling Shuo’s crossed arms. Upon contact, Ling Shuo’s previously calm expression twisted into panic.
How could it be? How could the strength be so great?
He regretted underestimating his opponent.
Now, wanting to dodge, it was already too late.
Ling Shuo was sent flying, landing sprawled on the ground.
One move—Ling Shuo lasted only a single exchange with Ling Tian.
Everyone understood Ling Shuo had been careless, but even had he not, he wouldn’t have lasted many moves against Ling Tian.
At the root, Ling Tian’s cultivation was higher!
“I—I lost!”
Ling Shuo felt the pain in his arms and admitted defeat. Was it shameful? Ha, he was used to it.
[Task completed.]
[Reward: Imperial Artifact—Banner of the Human Emperor!]
As Ling Shuo finished speaking, a voice sounded in Ling Tian’s mind.
Ling Tian paid it little heed, his gaze fixed on Ling Shuo.
For some reason, he saw in Ling Shuo a reflection of his own fallen self—
that powerless feeling of being surpassed by one’s peers.
Who wouldn’t wish to lounge with beauties and command life and death, if given the chance?
Perhaps then, it wasn’t that Ling Shuo didn’t seek him out as a brother, but that he was too downcast to dare to recognize him.
Ling Tian had two Emperor parents; even if crippled, he’d never lack for food or drink.
But Ling Shuo? Alas...
[You have defeated your former best friend, proving your strength. Yet a solitary bloom does not make spring; when myriad flowers blossom, spring fills the garden. You need your own faction!]
[Counterattack mission triggered.]
[Establish a faction, recruit one hundred childhood companions (long-term, phased task)]
[Reward: Essence of the Great Dao!]
As Ling Tian pondered, this voice sounded again in his mind.
He had to admit—there was nothing wrong with this mission!
Defeat Ling Shuo, earn his respect—
recruit him as a follower, build a faction: a fine choice.
Unexpectedly, the system knew how to advance step by step—remarkable.
It gave Ling Tian a reason to help Ling Shuo, a reason to persuade himself.

He would help him, not out of kindness, but for the reward!
Ling Tian murmured to himself.
“Follow me—I’ll lead you to the summit!”
Hands clasped behind his back, Ling Tian stepped before Ling Shuo, uttering those supremely pretentious words.
Seeing the diminutive Ling Tian, those present felt the scene odd, yet dared not utter a sound, feeling awkward.
Ye Changlong, watching his grandson, became increasingly fond—damn, he had guts!
“Boss, I’ll follow you through fire and water!”
Ling Shuo barely hesitated, springing up from the ground with a flattering smile.
The burly Ling Shuo bent slightly, pledging his loyalty to Ling Tian—a comical sight.
It seemed completely out of place.
Ling Shuo didn’t care in the least!
In fact, he hadn’t even heard Ling Tian’s later words, only the first.
Wasn’t this recruiting him as a follower?
Being the son of the clan chief, this was a weighty position—being a follower was no loss!
Ling Moyun, seeing Ling Shuo’s actions, nodded. The kid wasn’t so blind after all.
The son of the clan chief was not someone just anyone could befriend.
With this, the farce came to an end.
Ling Tian and Ling Shuo, after eating their fill, left the great hall.
“Boss, I didn’t even use my trump card earlier—look at this...”
Ling Shuo trotted after Ling Tian, obsequiously producing a small picture book.
“Hmm? Don’t bother with such things in front of me in the future—it’s a bad look.”
Ling Tian, with a serious expression, casually took the little book from Ling Shuo’s hands, face unflushed, heart untroubled.
“Understood, understood!”
Ling Shuo wore a look of comprehension.
Boss was boss—his composure was unrivaled.
Ling Tian recalled the mission, vexed. How was he to persuade a hundred childhood companions?
Was he to defeat them one by one?
What would that make him?
A child bully?
It felt improper!
Then he suddenly remembered the Banner of the Human Emperor’s function, his thoughts shifting, a gleam flashing in his eyes:
“If you refuse, my friend, we can discuss it within the banner!”