Chapter 23: Changes
Actually, Gan Jing had noticed Ling Xiao's abnormality when she woke up in the morning. For her, who spent every day with Ling Xiao, his huge change in spirit and energy could not be hidden from her.
Ling Xiao had been saying recently that he was not far from a Breakthrough in his kung fu, meaning his Unbroken Body Cultivation Technique was about to reach Major Achievement. As for what would happen next, Gan Jing felt an inexplicable panic in her heart whenever she thought about it.
However, she still pretended to be calm, at least on the surface. But the dinner she made tonight was exceptionally lavish.
Ling Xiao had never told Gan Jing about Daoist Cultivation. For his own Cultivation, his explanation was his family's inherited Unbroken Body Cultivation Technique. As a Chinese person, especially after witnessing some things, Gan Jing's horizons had broadened considerably.
Regarding what Ling Xiao said, Gan Jing subconsciously asked, "Is it a follow-up to what happened the night before last?"
"Hmm!" Ling Xiao nodded slightly, pressed Gan Jing down at the dining table, and then whispered, "The Japanese suffered such a huge loss this time, they won't let it go easily. However, this time, the entire Los Angeles Chinese Gang mobilized collectively. Even if the Japanese want to do something, with Boss Ouyang Sheng in charge, they won't have many opportunities. But we still need to be careful they don't vent their anger on unrelated bystanders. Oh, by the way, you haven't slacked off on your recent gun practice, have you?"
"No, I practice shooting every weekend afternoon, and my marksmanship has improved quite a bit." Gan Jing gently pushed Ling Xiao away, pressed him down at the dining table, then sat in her own seat, looking at Ling Xiao with a charming smile and saying, "How about it, not bad, right!"
Gan Jing had prepared Western food tonight: two medium-rare steaks, a bottle of good red wine, and a little vegetable salad. If red candles were added, it would be a wonderful candlelight dinner.
"Cheers!" Ling Xiao sighed softly, smiled and clinked glasses with Gan Jing, taking a small sip. He had wanted to remind Gan Jing a few more times to be careful, but then thought better of it. It was best not to spoil such a wonderful atmosphere!
While eating, Ling Xiao chatted with Gan Jing about some trivial family matters and social news. Although they were talking the whole time, both of their minds were not on these topics.
Gan Jing was very beautiful tonight, wearing a fitted off-the-shoulder long dress that fully revealed her fair and slender arms. With a little light makeup, she looked exceptionally beautiful under the lights.
Towards the end of dinner, Gan Jing subconsciously asked, "Ling Xiao, are you still going to Cultivate tonight?"
"Hmm!" Ling Xiao nodded softly and said, "Cultivation is like sailing against the current; if you delay for a day, you need to repay it with double the effort, so it's best not to interrupt it easily. Gan Jing, if my Cultivation can truly achieve something in the future, I can also bring you onto this path."
"Okay!" Gan Jing bit her lower lip and nodded gently. Gan Jing didn't know much about the Cultivation Technique Ling Xiao practiced, but just hearing the name 'Unbroken Body Cultivation Technique,' Gan Jing knew that this Cultivation Technique was not suitable for her to Cultivate. Moreover, it sounded like this Cultivation Technique had to be started from childhood. At her current age, her Meridians were already solidified and stiff, so even if she Cultivated, it would probably be difficult to make any progress.
Ling Xiao, of course, knew this. His plan was that after his own Cultivation achieved something, he would directly perform bone and marrow cleansing on Gan Jing, which might have even better results. But for now, it was better to practice shooting well.
Even now, Ling Xiao might be confident in dodging a single gun, but facing a hail of bullets, he would probably end up riddled with holes himself.
"Alright, take a shower and go to bed early. I'm going upstairs first." Ling Xiao stood up, gently kissed Gan Jing on the forehead, and went straight to the third floor.
Ling Xiao's main task now was to stabilize his Cultivation. Although he had already made a Breakthrough to the Fusion stage, for future Cultivation, this Foundation must be solidified. Moreover, for some unexpected Breakthroughs and the changes in his own Cultivation, Ling Xiao still needed to adapt well.
After going up to the third floor, Ling Xiao still habitually watered the various medicinal herbs he cultivated with spiritual water. After checking their growth, Ling Xiao then sat back in front of the offering table, forming hand seals, True Qi surged, and the god and demon list appeared in response.
Ling Xiao looked at the god and demon list in front of him with a complex expression. Although he had initially refined it, he would not be able to refine it into his Lifebound Treasure until he made a Breakthrough to the Xiantian Realm. He could only deepen his refinement of it as much as possible to ensure his control.
However, before Cultivating, there was one thing he had to do first.
Ling Xiao gently exhaled, spread his hands, and continuously formed hand seals. After a few breaths, the god and demon list suddenly emitted a yellowish-white light that directly enveloped Ling Xiao. The next moment, Ling Xiao's entire body became huge. Almost instantly, he shot up by thirty or forty centimeters, suddenly growing to over two meters tall.
All the muscles throughout his body became engorged, and light green skin covered Ling Xiao's entire body. From a distance, he looked like a miniature Hulk.
That's right, a miniature one. Firstly, Ling Xiao's Cultivation was still low, and the transmission he could receive from the god and demon list was limited. Secondly, the god and demon list itself was not complete. Under various restrictions, being able to achieve such an amplification was already quite good.
Ling Xiao clenched his fists tightly. He vaguely felt that his strength had almost doubled, now approaching a thousand catties of force. If judged solely on this aspect, Ling Xiao's strength was infinitely close to the Peak of the Acquired Realm.
However, this was just talk. In a real life-and-death battle, what was tested was the comprehensive strength of both sides. If strength alone could determine victory, Banner would not have been beaten by General Ross to the point where he couldn't even stay in his Homeland, America.
After carefully adapting to his current physique, indeed, his strength had increased a lot. However, correspondingly, Ling Xiao's speed had decreased significantly. Although his comprehensive strength had increased, in a life-and-death duel, if he encountered some particularly agile experts, he would probably only be able to passively take a beating.
However, the advantages of this physique were also obvious. Under normal circumstances, it was unlikely that any enemy could withstand one of Ling Xiao's punches. What excited him most was the significant increase in his defensive power. Now, unless armor-piercing bullets were continuously fired at him, it would be almost impossible for ordinary bullets to kill him.
After briefly getting used to the changes in his body, ten minutes later, Ling Xiao dispelled the blessing of the god and demon list. In just ten minutes, a large portion of the True Qi in Ling Xiao's body was consumed. It was clear that this ability could not be used as his regular means. However, as his Cultivation deepened and the god and demon list continuously repaired itself, this duration would increase, and its power would also improve.
Ling Xiao did not know the upper limit of the power that the god and demon list could bestow, but if it truly had some connection with the Investiture of the Gods, that upper limit would probably far exceed the maximum strength that Hulk could achieve.
Of course, Ling Xiao was just thinking about it. To be honest, he didn't like making himself entirely green. The current light green skin was very faint, almost imperceptible, so he could still accept it.
There was also a hidden danger. When Ling Xiao used this ability just now, a surge of inexplicable anger welled up in his body, almost making him want to smash everything in front of him. Fortunately, Ling Xiao quickly activated the Clear Mind Sutra, which suppressed this anger. Nevertheless, this anger was still a hidden worry. Ling Xiao did not want to lose himself like Banner.